Swans Pond Dam
Swans Pond Dam is a stone dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1848. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Swans Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Swans Pond Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Howard Fease (private). It impounds the Tributary Of Mumford River near Northbridge.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 168 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 33 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 282 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 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 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 09/27/2018.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Northbridge |
| River/Stream | Tributary Of Mumford River |
| Coordinates | 42.12161, -71.69451 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Stone |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 168 ft |
| Year Completed | 1848 (178 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 282 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 282 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 110 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 33 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | Howard Fease |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/27/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00659 |
| Federal ID | MA00659 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |