Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam
Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Hampden County, Massachusetts, built in 1848. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Upper Van Horn Reservoir 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 Springfield (local government). It impounds the Upper Van Horn Reservoir near Springfield.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 905 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 169 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1848, 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. The most recent inspection on record was 11/08/2022.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Hampden |
| Nearest City | Springfield |
| River/Stream | Upper Van Horn Reservoir |
| Coordinates | 42.12618, -72.59460 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 905 ft |
| Year Completed | 1848 (178 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 169 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 169 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 67 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 730 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | City of Springfield |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 11/08/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00574 |
| Federal ID | MA00574 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |