Horse Pond Dam

HORSE POND BROOK· Worcester, Massachusetts· Built 1964· Earth· 38 ft tall
Significant Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Horse Pond Dam is classified as significant hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 38 ft (taller than 91.8% in MA)
Dam Length2,054 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage20 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDMA00950

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: March 2, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

DCR - DEPT. OF CONSERVATION & RECREATION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Horse Pond Dam?

Horse Pond Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Horse Pond Dam?

Horse Pond Dam is owned by DCR - DEPT. OF CONSERVATION & RECREATION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Horse Pond Dam built?

Horse Pond Dam was completed in 1964, making it 62 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Horse Pond Dam?

Horse Pond Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Horse Pond Dam?

Horse Pond Dam has a dam height of 38 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Horse Pond Dam last inspected?

Horse Pond Dam was last inspected on March 2, 2017. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.