Winsor Dam facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Winsor Dam
Winsor Dam on the Quabbin
Official name	Winsor Dam
Location	Ware / Belchertown, Massachusetts, USA
Coordinates	42°16′59″N 72°20′36″W / 42.28306°N 72.34333°W / 42.28306; -72.34333
Construction began	1935
Opening date	1939
Operator(s)	MWRA
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Swift River
Height	295 ft (90 m)
Length	2,640 ft (805 m)
Width (base)	1100 ft (335 m)
Reservoir
Creates	Quabbin Reservoir

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 Eastern U.S. The Winsor Dam is part of the Chicopee River Watershed. The Winsor Dam was named for Frank E. Winsor, its chief engineer.

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).