Townsend Harbor Dam
Townsend Harbor Dam is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, built in 1870. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Townsend Harbor Dam
The primary purpose of Townsend Harbor Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Hollingsworth & Vose Company (private). It impounds the Squannacook River near Townsend.
The dam stands 11 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 40 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 273 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 60 square miles. Completed in 1870, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/02/2021.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Townsend |
| River/Stream | Squannacook River |
| Coordinates | 42.65254, -71.67265 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1870 (156 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 273 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 273 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 116 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 40 acres |
| Drainage Area | 60 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Hollingsworth & Vose Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/02/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00138 |
| Federal ID | MA00138 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |