Kendall Reservoir Lower Basin Dam is an earth dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1911. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 8 ft8 ft tall and 190 ft long. 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 Kendall Reservoir Lower Basin Dam
The primary purpose of Kendall Reservoir Lower Basin 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 City of Worcester (local government). It impounds the Manmade Channel to Holden #7 near Holden.
The dam stands 8 feet tall and stretches 190 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 180 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,850 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1911, the structure is over a century 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 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 08/16/2023.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Holden |
| River/Stream | Manmade Channel to Holden #7 |
| Coordinates | 42.32809, -71.88313 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 8 ft |
| Dam Length | 190 ft |
| Year Completed | 1911 (115 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,850 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,850 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,850 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 180 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Worcester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/16/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA02328 |
| Federal ID | MA00622S001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |