Hodges Village Dam in Oxford, Massachusetts, lies across the French River, about ten miles south of Worcester. In conjunction with Buffumville Lake, Hodges Village Dam reduces flood levels on the French River in Oxford, Webster, and Dudley, Massachusetts, and Thompson, Connecticut. Hodges Village Dam also helps to reduce flooding extending downstream from Putnam, Connecticut, on the Quinebaug River to Norwich, Connecticut, on the Thames River.

Construction of Hodges Village Dam was initiated in March 1958 and completed in 1959, at a cost of $4.5 million. Portions of both Route 12 and a railroad track were relocated to make way for the project. There is no lake at Hodges Village Dam. The flood storage area of the project, which is normally empty and is only utilized to store floodwater, covers 740 acres and extends upstream about three miles. The entire project, including all associated fee and easement lands, covers 1,128 acres.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you to Hodges Village Dam for year-round recreation. The project covers about 864 acres, with 286 of those acres being water and wetlands. Developed recreation features include the disc golf course, seasonal waterborne restrooms, 3-mile French River Water Trail, and over 22 miles of multi-use trails. Park rangers are available to assist you during your visit.

The outdoor sports enthusiast can hunt, fish and paddle at Hodges Village Dam. Hunting is permitted only on the west side of the French River in accordance with state regulations.

There are approximately 22 miles of trails weaving their way around the Hodges Village Dam project area.  The blue blazed trails on the east side of the French River are for non-motorized recreation including hiking, nature study, mountain biking, cross country skiing, and horseback riding.

The orange blazed trails on the west side of the river are for both non-motorized and motorized use. Off highway motorcycles are allowed on the west side of the French River as reservoir levels, weather, and trail conditions permit.  

Hodges Village Dam is also the only legal off-highway motorcycle area in Central Massachusetts and draws visitors from around the tri-state area. Off-highway motorcycles are allowed on the west side of the French River on the orange blazed trails as reservoir level, weather and trail conditions permit. Off-highway motorcycles must have a Massachusetts Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) registration when operating on project lands. NOTE: ATVs are not allowed on project lands.

Hodges Village Dam also offers a small disc golf course with 13 holes. The course consists of 21 tee pads and 13 corresponding basket “holes” and is located adjacent to the dam and Hodges Village Pond. Visitor parking is available near the project office and along Howarth Road.

Organized special events such as fishing tournaments, disc golf tournaments, etc. require a Special Use Permit. There is a minimum fee of $75.00, however fees may vary. Please contact the Project Office for more information at 508-248-5697.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the natural resources at Hodges Village Dam for multiple uses: flood risk management, wildlife habitat, forest production, watershed protection, and outdoor recreation. USACE owns 864 acres of land in fee at Hodges Village Dam. The west side of the French River is composed primarily of upland hardwoods, red oak, white oak, hickory trees, and white pine. The east side of the river supports an Atlantic White Cedar swamp and numerous shrub swamps and forested wetlands. Red maple, alder, birch and other common wetland plants are found in the widespread wetlands.

The habitat of the French River is that of a slow-moving stream. A pool is impounded only during flood operations. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has designated the French River as a cold-water fishery resource.  Common fish species include brook, brown and rainbow trout, slimy sculpin and long nose sucker, large mouth bass, white and yellow perch, and chain pickerel.

The Hodges Village Dam property is comprised of a diverse array of natural plant communities. Park rangers work on the land to ensure that habitats diversity is sustained to support a variety of species. Wildlife enthusiasts may spot white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, wild turkey, an array of hawks and songbirds, ducks and geese, coyotes, fox, fisher, and an occasional bobcat.