Whittenton Pond Dam

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Whittenton Pond Dam is an earthen dam across the Mill River in Taunton, Massachusetts. Built in 1832, the original dam was a half-mile upstream from downtown Taunton. It was 12 feet high and constructed of timber. The old dam was removed when its structural integrity was compromised by days of heavy rains in October 2005; it was replaced by the current dam that is composed of compressed earth and rock.

New England experienced heavy rains during the second week of October 2005. On the morning of Sunday, October 16, officials realized that the dam was in trouble. By Tuesday, an evacuation was ordered. School in Taunton was cancelled, and several roads were closed. After the floods, the wooden dam was removed and a new earthen dam was built in its place.