Winsor Dam

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Winsor Dam
Winsor Dam
Winsor Dam on the Quabbin
Official name Winsor Dam
Impounds Swift River
Creates Quabbin Reservoir
Locale Belchertown
Maintained by MWRA
Length 2,640 ft (805 m)
Height 295 ft (90 m)
Width (at base) 1100 ft (335 m)
Construction began 1935
Opening date 1939
Bridge information
Carries Winsor Dam Road
Width Two lanes
Vertical clearance
(vehicle height)
Unrestricted
AADT Closed
Geographical Data
Coordinates 42°16′59″N, 72°20′36″WCoordinates: 42°16′59″N, 72°20′36″W

The Winsor Dam and the Goodnough Dike impound the waters of the Swift River and the Ware River Diversion forming the Quabbin Reservoir, the largest water body in Massachusetts. According to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation the Winsor Dam is one of the largest dams in the U.S. east. The Winsor Dam is part of the Chicopee River Watershed. The Winsor Dam was named for Frank E. Winsor, its chief engineer.[1]

[edit] Characteristics

The dam has the following characteristics:

  • Length: 2640 ft (805 m)
  • Top width: 35 ft (10.7 m)
  • Max. bottom width: 1100 ft (335 m)
  • Height above river: 170 ft (52 m)
  • Height above bedrock: 295 ft (90 m)
  • Amount of earth fill: 4 million cubic yards (3,000,000 m3).

[edit] References

  1. ^ Winsor Dam in the Structurae database

[edit] External links