Ipswich Mills Dam dam
Ipswich Mills Dam
The Ipswich Mills Dam, located on the Ipswich River in Massachusetts, was completed in 1900 and serves as a vital water supply structure for the local community. This masonry dam has a height of 10.5 feet and a hydraulic height of 6 feet, with a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts and is inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the Ipswich Mills Dam is assessed to be in fair condition as of its last inspection in 2009. With a moderate risk rating of 3, there are ongoing risk management measures in place to address any potential issues that may arise. Although the dam has not been significantly modified in recent years, its primary purpose as a water supply structure remains crucial for sustaining the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Ipswich Mills Dam presents an intriguing case study of a historic masonry dam that continues to play a key role in water supply management in the region. Its location on the Ipswich River and its regulated status by the state highlight the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring of such structures to ensure their continued safety and effectiveness in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Ipswich Mills Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ipswich River Near Ipswich | 111 cfs | → |
| Parker River At Byfield | 19 cfs | → |
| Ipswich River At South Middleton | 16 cfs | → |
| Saugus R At Saugus Iron Works At Saugus | 8 cfs | → |
| Spicket River Near Methuen | 28 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River Near Wilmington | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ipswich Mills Dam.
Boat launches
- East Street 65, Ipswich
- Eagle Hill Public Landing
- Railroad Avenue Rowley
- Ipswich Road Topsfield
- Stackyard Road 299, Rowley
- Chebacco Road 340, Hamilton
Track Ipswich Mills 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 Ipswich Mills Dam
Where does the data for Ipswich Mills 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 Low 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 Ipswich Mills Dam.