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Coordinates: 42°24′13″N 71°41′16″W / 42.40361°N 71.68778°W / 42.40361; -71.68778
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{{Short description|Dam in Massachusetts}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox dam
{{Infobox dam
| name = Wachusett Dam
| name = Wachusett Dam
| image = Wachusett-dam.jpg
| image = Wachusett-dam.jpg
| image_caption = Wachusett Dam at [[Clinton, Massachusetts|Clinton]]
| image_caption = Wachusett Dam at [[Clinton, Massachusetts|Clinton]]
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| res_name = [[Wachusett Reservoir]]
| res_name = [[Wachusett Reservoir]]
| location = [[Clinton, Massachusetts|Clinton]], [[Massachusetts|Massachusetts, USA]]
| location = [[Clinton, Massachusetts|Clinton]], [[Massachusetts|Massachusetts, USA]]
| maint = [[Massachusetts Water Resources Authority|MWRA]]
| operator = [[Massachusetts Water Resources Authority|MWRA]]
| dam_length = 965 ft
| dam_length = {{convert|965|ft|abbr=on}}
| dam_height = 205 ft
| dam_height = {{convert|205|ft|abbr=on}}
| dam_width_base =
| dam_width_base =
| construction_began = 1897
| construction_began = {{start date and age|1897}}
| opening = 1905
| opening = {{start date and age|1905}}
⚫
| coordinates = {{coord|42|24|13|N|71|41|16|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| closed =
| extra = {{Infobox NRHP
⚫
| coordinates = {{Coord|42|24|13|N|71|41|16|W|region:US_type:landmark}}
| lat_d =
| embed = yes
⚫
| name = Wachusett Dam Historic District
| long_d =
⚫
| nrhp_type = hd
| extra ={{Infobox NRHP
|embed = yes
| nocat = yes
⚫
| image =

| caption =
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| name =Wachusett Dam Historic District
⚫
| location = [[Clinton, Massachusetts]]
⚫
| nrhp_type = hd
⚫
| locmapin = Massachusetts#USA
⚫
| image =
| caption =
| area =
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| architect = [[Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge]]; [[Olmsted Brothers]]
⚫
| location= [[Clinton, Massachusetts]]
⚫
| architecture =
⚫
| locmapin = Massachusetts
| area =
⚫
| architect= [[Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge]]; [[Olmsted Brothers]]
⚫
| architecture= No Style Listed
| added = January 18, 1990
| added = January 18, 1990
⚫
| mpsub = Water Supply System of Metropolitan Boston MPS
| governing_body = [[Massachusetts Water Resources Authority]]
⚫
| refnum = 89002269<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a|dateform=mdy}}</ref>
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| mpsub=Water Supply System of Metropolitan Boston MPS
⚫
}}
| refnum=89002269
⚫
<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
⚫
}}
}}
}}
The '''Wachusett Dam''' in [[Clinton (town), Massachusetts|Clinton]], [[Massachusetts]] impounds the [[Nashua River]] creating the [[Wachusett Reservoir]]. Construction started in 1897<ref name="mwra" /> and was completed in 1905. It is part of the [[Nashua River Watershed]].


This dam is part of greater Boston's water system, maintained and controlled by the [[Massachusetts Water Resources Authority]] (MWRA). Its discharge is into the [[Nashua River]]. When it was completed in 1905, the Wachusett Reservoir was the largest public water supply reservoir in the world.<ref name="mwra">[http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/hist4.htm History: Wachusett]</ref> At that time, the Wachusett Reservoir Dam was the largest [[Gravity_dam#Gravity_dams|gravity dam]] in the world as well.
The '''Wachusett Dam''' in [[Clinton (town), Massachusetts|Clinton]], [[Massachusetts]], impounds the [[Nashua River]], creating the [[Wachusett Reservoir]]. Construction started in 1897<ref name="mwra" /> and was completed in 1905. It is part of the [[Nashua River Watershed]].
This dam is part of greater Boston's water system, maintained and controlled by the [[Massachusetts Water Resources Authority]] (MWRA). Its discharge is into the [[Nashua River]]. When it was completed in 1905, the Wachusett Reservoir was the largest public water supply reservoir in the world.<ref name="mwra">[http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/hist4.htm History: Wachusett]</ref> At that time, the Wachusett Reservoir Dam was the largest [[Gravity dam#Gravity dams|gravity dam]] in the world as well.


==Construction==
==Construction==
The Metropolitan Water Board selected the south branch of the Nashua River in Clinton as the best site for Boston's new water supply over New Hampshire's [[Lake Winnipesaukee]], Maine's [[Sebago Lake]], and the [[Merrimack River]].<ref name="mwra" />
The Metropolitan Water Board selected the south branch of the Nashua River in Clinton as the best site for Boston's new water supply over New Hampshire's [[Lake Winnipesaukee]], Maine's [[Sebago Lake]], and the [[Merrimack River]].<ref name="mwra" />


Churches, factories, homes, and schools within the valley had to be knocked down or moved. Roads and rail lines had to be relocated; a railroad tunnel and trestle had to be built in order to relocate the Central Massachusetts Rail Line, and over four thousand bodies had to be dug up and moved in the local Catholic cemetery.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} The project brought thousands of immigrants to the area for work.
Churches, factories, homes, and schools within the valley had to be knocked down or moved. Roads and rail lines had to be relocated; a railroad tunnel and trestle had to be built in order to relocate the [[Central Massachusetts Railroad]], and over four thousand bodies had to be dug up and moved in the local Catholic cemetery.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} The project brought thousands of immigrants to the area for work.


The dam created the world's largest water supply reservoir at the time.<ref name="mwra" /> It is still considered the largest "hand dug" dam in the world today.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}
The dam created the world's largest water supply reservoir at the time.<ref name="mwra" /> It is still considered the largest "hand dug" dam in the world today.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}


==Early problems==
==Early problems==
A static liquefaction flow failure occurred in the upstream slope of the North Dike of Wachusett Dam near Clinton, Massachusetts on April 11, 1907 during the first reservoir filling. The fine sands of the upstream dike shell liquefied and flowed approximately 100 meters horizontally into the reservoir. This caused many Clinton residents considerable concern. However, the project’s Chief Engineer, [[Frank E. Winsor]], assured the townsfolk that everything was okay. This event remains controversial. At least one engineering study claims that the initial failure is a precursor to the dam’s future failure.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} However, it has now stood for over one hundred years.
A static liquefaction flow failure occurred in the upstream slope of the North Dike of Wachusett Dam near Clinton, Massachusetts on April 11, 1907 during the first reservoir filling. The fine sands of the upstream dike shell liquefied and flowed approximately 100 meters horizontally into the reservoir.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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</gallery>
</gallery>


==See also==
[https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203338491155154910807.0004d39d6426d9066aa13&msa=0&ll=42.409389,-71.688538&spn=0.034158,0.084543 Wachusett reservoir Dam, From above (at Google Maps)]
*[[Wachusett Aqueduct]]
⚫
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Worcester County, Massachusetts]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Structurae|id=s0001117|title=Wachusett Dam}}
* {{Structurae|id=20001117|title=Wachusett Dam}}
* [http://erp-web.er.usgs.gov/reports/annsum/vol46/ep/04hqgr0076.pdf USGS]
* [http://erp-web.er.usgs.gov/reports/annsum/vol46/ep/04hqgr0076.pdf USGS]


{{Massachusetts}}
{{Massachusetts}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Registered Historic Places}}


[[Category:Dams in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Dams in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Historic districts in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Historic districts in Worcester County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Dams on the National Register of Historic Places]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Clinton, Massachusetts]]
⚫
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Worcester County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 1905]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 1905]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Worcester County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Dams on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:1905 establishments in Massachusetts]]

Latest revision as of 18:25, 22 January 2024

Wachusett Dam
Wachusett Dam at Clinton
Official nameWachusett Reservoir Dam
LocationClinton, Massachusetts, USA
Coordinates42°24′13″N 71°41′16″W / 42.40361°N 71.68778°W / 42.40361; -71.68778
Construction began1897; 127 years ago (1897)
Opening date1905; 119 years ago (1905)
Operator(s)MWRA
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsNashua River
Height205 ft (62 m)
Length965 ft (294 m)
Reservoir
CreatesWachusett Reservoir
Wachusett Dam Historic District
Wachusett Dam is located in Massachusetts
Wachusett Dam
Wachusett Dam is located in the United States
Wachusett Dam
LocationClinton, Massachusetts
ArchitectShepley, Rutan and Coolidge; Olmsted Brothers
MPSWater Supply System of Metropolitan Boston MPS
NRHP reference No.89002269[1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 18, 1990

The Wachusett Dam in Clinton, Massachusetts, impounds the Nashua River, creating the Wachusett Reservoir. Construction started in 1897[2] and was completed in 1905. It is part of the Nashua River Watershed.

This dam is part of greater Boston's water system, maintained and controlled by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Its discharge is into the Nashua River. When it was completed in 1905, the Wachusett Reservoir was the largest public water supply reservoir in the world.[2] At that time, the Wachusett Reservoir Dam was the largest gravity dam in the world as well.

Construction

[edit]

The Metropolitan Water Board selected the south branch of the Nashua River in Clinton as the best site for Boston's new water supply over New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee, Maine's Sebago Lake, and the Merrimack River.[2]

Churches, factories, homes, and schools within the valley had to be knocked down or moved. Roads and rail lines had to be relocated; a railroad tunnel and trestle had to be built in order to relocate the Central Massachusetts Railroad, and over four thousand bodies had to be dug up and moved in the local Catholic cemetery.[citation needed] The project brought thousands of immigrants to the area for work.

The dam created the world's largest water supply reservoir at the time.[2] It is still considered the largest "hand dug" dam in the world today.[citation needed]

Early problems

[edit]

A static liquefaction flow failure occurred in the upstream slope of the North Dike of Wachusett Dam near Clinton, Massachusetts on April 11, 1907 during the first reservoir filling. The fine sands of the upstream dike shell liquefied and flowed approximately 100 meters horizontally into the reservoir.

[edit]
  • Wachusett Dam outlet
    Wachusett Dam outlet
  • The reservoir side of the dam
    The reservoir side of the dam
  • The plaque on the dam
    The plaque on the dam
  • Rough-hewn rocks lining the reservoir
    Rough-hewn rocks lining the reservoir
  • The reservoir itself
    The reservoir itself
  • The dam from downstream
    The dam from downstream

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d History: Wachusett
[edit]
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