Holden Reservoir Dam No. 1
Holden Reservoir Dam No. 1 is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1883. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Holden Reservoir Dam No. 1
The primary purpose of Holden Reservoir Dam No. 1 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 City Of Worcester (local government). It impounds the Tatnuck Brook near Holden.
The dam stands 47 feet tall and stretches 840 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 128 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1883, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. 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 06/22/2020.
At 47 feet, this dam is taller than 92% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Massachusetts dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Holden |
| River/Stream | Tatnuck Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.30540, -71.87290 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 47 ft |
| Dam Length | 840 ft |
| Year Completed | 1883 (143 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,200 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,200 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,250 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 128 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,700 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Worcester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 06/22/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00960 |
| Federal ID | MA00960 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |