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100 Dams Rated Unsafe Or Poor

BOSTON (AP) -- Outgoing state Auditor Joseph DeNucci says 100 dams owned by 62 cites and towns in Massachusetts are rated in unsafe or poor condition.

He says that creates the potential for a loss of life or significant property damage if one of the dams fails.

Worcester County had the largest number, with 32 suspect dams.

Middlesex had 14, while Norfolk had 13 and Bristol had 11.

Engineers' inspections found that 94 of the 100 dams are in poor condition, with six rated as unsafe.

Two of the unsafe dams are in Foxborough, with one more each in Athol, Bolton, Danvers and Dudley.

The Office of Dam Safety within the Department of Conservation and Recreation regulates about half of the 3,000 dams in Massachusetts.

DeNucci finishes his term next week. He will be replaced by a fellow Democrat, Suzanne Bump.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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