Overview
There are more than 3,000 dams in Massachusetts. Few of them still serve their original purpose, and many are in poor condition. Dams artificially hold back water and change the way a river functions. They trap sediment and create stagnant conditions with warmer water and lower dissolved oxygen than the rest of the river system. Dams also block the movement of fish and invertebrates that need to access different areas of the watershed and different habitats during their life cycle. There is a growing movement throughout the state to remove aging dams that have outlived their original purpose.
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is planning to remove the Thousand Acre Reservoir Dam, which it owns, to fulfill the following goals:
- Remove aging infrastructure to reduce safety risks for users of the Millers River Wildlife Management Area and reduce potential for flooding,
- Improve water quality and restore the natural river flow,
- Improve aquatic habitats for fish and other aquatic life,
- Improve outdoor recreation opportunities within the surrounding Millers River Wildlife Management Area also owned and managed by MassWildlife, and
- Eliminate the costs associated with ongoing repairs and maintenance.
The project is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and will be carried out in partnership with multiple state and federal agencies.
Project summary
Quick Facts
- Watershed: Millers River
- Project Location: Athol and Phillipston, MA (see location)
- Project timeline: Construction will begin in 2025 and will be completed by 2026
Thousand Acre Reservoir Dam is a 24-foot high, 190-foot long earthen embankment dam with a primary and an auxiliary concrete spillway in Athol, MA. The dam is situated within the 2,288-acre Millers River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The dam was constructed in 1911 and rehabilitated in 1939. The dam’s original purpose was to create a drinking water reservoir for the Town of Athol; however, the reservoir is no longer used as a water source. The impoundment volume is approximately 14 acre-feet of water. Thousand Acre Reservoir Dam is not a large dam and does not pose significant risk to downstream areas; however, its poor condition must be addressed.
The proposed project will remove the full vertical extent of the dam and will restore the area to resemble conditions prior to the dam being built. New river and wetlands habitat will be created and Thousand Acre Brook will once again flow without obstruction.
Fish populations
Thousand Acre Brook is a tributary of the Millers River. The dam removal is expected to decrease stream temperature and restore natural stream flow and habitat. Many types of fish will benefit from the removal project.
Thousand Acre Brook is a Coldwater Fishery Resource (CFR) and contains a reproducing population of eastern brook trout. Known brook trout populations are currently limited to below Thousand Acre Brook Dam and impoundment. Removal of the dam will increase the likelihood of eastern brook trout establishing populations upstream in Thousand Acre Brook. White sucker, fallfish, longnose dace, and tessellated darter rely on flowing water and will likely benefit from the dam removal. These species have been prioritized as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Massachusetts Wildlife Action Plan.
MEPA review
This project is being designed as an Ecological Restoration Project, which means the primary purpose is to restore or otherwise improve the natural capacity of the environment. The project review process will start with the filing of a Notice of Ecological Restoration Project form with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office. The state-level MEPA process allows for coordinated state-agency review of projects and meaningful opportunities for public comment.
The project will also be reviewed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Town of Athol Conservation Commission, and the Town of Phillipston Conservation Commission.
Outreach and public meetings
Thousand Acre Reservoir Dam Removal Project Virtual Information Meeting
January 30, 7:30–8:10 p.m. | Click here to join the Zoom meeting
Contact
Questions about this project?
Contact Todd Olanyk, MassWildlife's Central District Supervisor, at todd.olanyk@mass.gov or 508-835-3607.