Holden Reservoir Dam No. 2
Holden Reservoir Dam No. 2 is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1900. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Holden Reservoir Dam No. 2
The primary purpose of Holden Reservoir Dam No. 2 is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Worcester (local government). It impounds the Tatnuck Brook near Holden.
The dam stands 57 feet tall and stretches 715 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 51 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,430 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1900, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 06/22/2020.
At 57 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Massachusetts dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Holden |
| River/Stream | Tatnuck Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.29630, -71.86597 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 57 ft |
| Dam Length | 715 ft |
| Year Completed | 1900 (126 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,430 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,430 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 758 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 51 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,080 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Worcester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/22/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00619 |
| Federal ID | MA00619 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |