Hoppin Hill Reservoir Dam Receives $1 Million for Revitalization

Coastal infrastructure in Attleboro and other communities is getting a facelift, thanks to a $13.2 million grant from two federal agencies.

The Patrick Administration awarded $1 million to Attleboro to reconstruct Hoppin Hill Reservoir Dam, which was built in 1910 and rehabilitated in 1987. The embankment is about 1,100 feet long and 23 feet high.

The Energy and Environmental Affairs Environmental Board, and the Seawall Repair and Removal Fund are providing the funding.

“The Patrick Administration is making key investments to address the public concerns and risks from declining dams and seawalls,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett said.

Additional projects are planned for Foster Avenue Seawall in Marshfield, Easy Street Bulkhead in Nantucket, Oceanside Drive Seawall in Scituate, Bound Brook Dam in Cohasset, Morse Reservoir Dam in Leominster, and Great Pond Lower Reservoir Dam in Tri-Town Water District.

The dam, and seawall grants and loans will ensure protection of public water supply structures, and first responder access corridors. The funding will also prepare the community for future weather-related emergencies, Bartlett said.

These coastal infrastructure projects will also protect public business districts, water and sewer systems, and transportation routes for emergencies, in addition to repairing the structures that are high or unsafely designed to support water supply reservoirs.

The Dam and Sewall Repair and Removal Fund will address the repairs of dams, coastal flood control structures, and inland flood control structures to prevent risks to public health, public safety and economic centers. Earlier this year, the fund awarded $5.9 million in grants and loans, and will now award an additional $4 million.

Photo credit: Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick Facebook page