Holden Reservoir Dam #1 dam
Holden Reservoir Dam #1
Holden Reservoir Dam #1, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, serves as a crucial water supply structure for the local community. Constructed in 1883, this earth dam stands at 46 feet high with a hydraulic height of 36.5 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 3200 acre-feet and a normal storage of 2250 acre-feet. The dam spans 840 feet across the Tatnuck Brook, with a surface area of 122 acres and a drainage area of 4.5 square miles.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Holden Reservoir Dam #1 is regulated and inspected by the state, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is in fair condition according to a 2017 assessment. With a moderate risk level and an emergency action plan in place, the dam is prepared to handle any potential risks and emergencies that may arise.
The dam's primary purpose of water supply highlights its importance in providing a reliable source of water for the community. With its long history and significant role in water resource management, Holden Reservoir Dam #1 stands as a key infrastructure for sustaining water availability in the region while being mindful of its environmental impact and safety measures.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Holden Reservoir Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinapoxet River At Canada Mills Near Holden | 27 cfs | → |
| Sevenmile River Near Spencer | 16 cfs | → |
| Stillwater River Near Sterling | 22 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River | 136 cfs | → |
| Quinsigamond River At North Grafton | 15 cfs | → |
| Ware River At Intake Works Near Barre | 139 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Holden Reservoir Dam #1.
Boat launches
- Overlook Drive 16-18, Spencer
- Tamarack Lane 37, Shrewsbury
- Sewell Drive Shrewsbury
- Oak Island Boat Ramp
- South Street 178-198, Auburn
- Shore Road 83, North Brookfield
Campgrounds
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Federated Womens' Club State Forest Primitive Campsite
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- Minha Casa
- Otter River State Forest
- Beaman Pond Campground
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Holden Reservoir Dam #1 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Holden Reservoir Dam #1
Where does the data for Holden Reservoir Dam #1 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Holden Reservoir Dam #1.