Coes Lower Pond Dam

Coes Lower Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1865. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Coes Lower Pond Dam

The primary purpose of Coes Lower Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of Worcester (local government). It impounds the Tatnuck Brook near Worcester.

The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 170 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 58 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11 square miles. Completed in 1865, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/06/2023.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMassachusetts
CountyWorcester
Nearest CityWorcester
River/StreamTatnuck Brook
Coordinates42.24944, -71.83269

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height15 ft
Dam Length170 ft
Year Completed1865 (161 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage58 acre-ft
Max Storage58 acre-ft
Normal Storage21 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area11 sq mi
Max Discharge1,310 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerCity of Worcester
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection09/06/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMA01660
Federal IDMA01660
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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