Palmer Upper Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Hampden County, Massachusetts, built in 1930. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 25 ft25 ft tall and 260 ft long, taller than 50% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Palmer Upper Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Palmer Upper Reservoir 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 Town of Palmer (local government). It impounds the Tributary of Quaboag River near Palmer.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 260 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 120 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1930, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 05/10/2024.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Hampden |
| Nearest City | Palmer |
| River/Stream | Tributary of Quaboag River |
| Coordinates | 42.16209, -72.31128 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 260 ft |
| Year Completed | 1930 (96 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 120 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 120 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 95 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 264 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Palmer |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/10/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00557 |
| Federal ID | MA00557 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |