Chaffin Pond Dam
Chaffin Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1894. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Chaffin Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Chaffin Pond Dam 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 Alden Re Holdings, Llc;andrew E. & Kristen M. Charbonneau;chaffin Realty Co., Llc;ma Department Of Transportation;town Of Holden (state). It impounds the Poor Farm Brook near Holden.
The dam stands 10 feet tall and stretches 135 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 96 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 920 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1894, the structure is over a century old.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/08/2020.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Holden |
| River/Stream | Poor Farm Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.33552, -71.83679 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Length | 135 ft |
| Year Completed | 1894 (132 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 920 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 920 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 170 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 96 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Alden RE Holdings, LLC;Andrew E. & Kristen M. Charbonneau;Chaffin Realty Co., LLC;MA Department of Transportation;Town of Holden |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/08/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00621 |
| Federal ID | MA00621 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |