Mill Pond Dam dam
Mill Pond Dam
Mill Pond Dam, located in Danvers, Massachusetts, along Crane Brook, is a significant earth dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1875, this dam stands at a height of 17 feet and has a hydraulic height of 19.5 feet. It has a normal storage capacity of 30 acre-feet and a drainage area of 5.1 square miles. With a hazard potential rated as significant and a condition assessment marked as satisfactory, the dam is closely regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts.
The dam, which has a storage capacity of 322 acre-feet, serves as a popular spot for recreational activities in the area, spanning a length of 600 feet and covering a surface area of 10 acres. Despite its age, the dam has been inspected regularly, with the last assessment conducted in April 2014, and it has been maintained to meet safety standards. With Seth Moulton as the representative for the area, the dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment.
Overall, Mill Pond Dam is a historically significant structure that not only provides recreational opportunities but also plays a crucial role in water resource management in Essex County, Massachusetts. With its controlled spillway and satisfactory condition, the dam continues to be a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and regulatory oversight to ensure its longevity and safety for years to come.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Mill Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ipswich River At South Middleton | 16 cfs | → |
| Saugus R At Saugus Iron Works At Saugus | 8 cfs | → |
| Ipswich River Near Ipswich | 111 cfs | → |
| Aberjona River At Winchester | 8 cfs | → |
| Parker River At Byfield | 19 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River Near Wilmington | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mill Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Ipswich Road Topsfield
- Nahant Ave Ramp
- Blossom Street Extension 398, Lynn
- Chebacco Road 340, Hamilton
- Boxford Road 41-43, Ipswich
- Stiles Pond Road 4.0, Boxford
Track Mill Pond Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Mill Pond Dam
Where does the data for Mill Pond Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Mill Pond Dam.