Buck Hill Conservation Dam

Buck Hill Conservation Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1969. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Buck Hill Conservation Dam

The primary purpose of Buck Hill Conservation Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Worcester County 4-h Center, Inc. (private). It impounds the Seven Mile River near Spencer.

The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 325 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 133 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1969, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

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 01/23/2020.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMassachusetts
CountyWorcester
Nearest CitySpencer
River/StreamSeven Mile River
Coordinates42.28932, -71.98730

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height15 ft
Dam Length325 ft
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage133 acre-ft
Max Storage133 acre-ft
Normal Storage49 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerWorcester County 4-H Center, Inc.
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection01/23/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMA00901
Federal IDMA00901
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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