Bates Power Reservoir Dam
Bates Power Reservoir Dam is a stone dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1846. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Bates Power Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Bates Power Reservoir Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Athol (local government). It impounds the Kendall Brook near Phillipston.
The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 32 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 156 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1846, 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 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 10/26/2020.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Phillipston |
| River/Stream | Kendall Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.56795, -72.15471 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Stone |
| NID Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1846 (180 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 156 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 156 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 54 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 32 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Town of Athol |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 10/26/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00650 |
| Federal ID | MA00650 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |