National Program for Inspection of Non-Federal Dams. Ramshorn Pond Dam (MA 00145), Blackstone River Basin, Millbury, Massachusetts. Phase I Inspection Report.

Ramshorn Pond Dam which was originally constructed around 1825 is an earthfill dam. The dam has a maximum height of 25 feet and is approximately 560 feet long. The outlet conduit is a 24-inch diameter pipe controlled by a rack and pinion operated gate valve. The spillway consists of a mortared stone paved channel that discharges into an earth channel. Wooden flashboards 19 inches high are located on the spillway cost. Generally, the dam is considered to be in fair condition. However, there are several visible signs of distress which indicate a potential hazard at this site slight seepage at the downstream toe of the dam, a pool of water on the downstream toe, erosion on the upstream face and downstream face of the dam, small trees and brush on the dam, minor accumulation of debris in the spillway channel, slumped riprap on the upstream face, leakage of the gate valve stem, a large animal burrow and numerous chipmunk holes on the dam face. An outflow test flood full PMF of 2,670 cfs would overtop the dam by 1.4 feet. The spillway without flashborads can discharge 31 percent of the test outflow. With the flashboards in place, the spillway can discharge 540 cfs, which is 18 percent of the test outflow.