Winsor Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Winsor Dam |
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Winsor Dam on the Quabbin
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| Official name | Winsor Dam |
| Location | Ware / Belchertown, Massachusetts, USA |
| Coordinates | 42°16′59″N 72°20′36″W / 42.28306°N 72.34333°W |
| 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 is a very important structure in Massachusetts, USA. It works with the Goodnough Dike to hold back the waters of the Swift River and the Ware River Diversion. This creates the huge Quabbin Reservoir, which is the largest body of water in Massachusetts.
The Winsor Dam is one of the biggest dams in the Eastern United States. It helps manage the water in the Chicopee River Watershed. The dam was named after Frank E. Winsor, who was the main engineer in charge of building it.
Building the Winsor Dam
Building the Winsor Dam was a huge project that started in 1935. It was finished and opened in 1939. The dam was designed to create the Quabbin Reservoir, which provides drinking water for many towns and cities in Massachusetts. This was a very important job, as it helped make sure people had enough clean water.
How Big Is It?
| Winsor Dam bridge | |
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| Carries | Winsor Dam Road |
| Characteristics | |
| Width | Two lanes |
| Clearance above | Unrestricted |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | Closed |
The Winsor Dam is an impressive structure. Here are some facts about its size:
- Its total length is about 2,640 feet (805 meters). That's almost half a mile long!
- At its widest point at the bottom, the dam is 1,100 feet (335 meters) thick.
- The dam stands about 295 feet (90 meters) tall from its base to the top.
- To build it, workers used about 4 million cubic yards (3,000,000 m3) of earth. That's a lot of dirt and rock!
The top of the dam has a road called Winsor Dam Road. This road is usually closed to traffic, but it helps people understand how wide the top of the dam is.
What Does the Dam Do?
The main purpose of the Winsor Dam is to create and hold the water in the Quabbin Reservoir. This reservoir is a vital source of clean drinking water for millions of people in the Boston area and other parts of eastern Massachusetts. The dam helps control the flow of water and ensures a steady supply. It's like a giant bathtub stopper for the Swift River!
