Artichoke River Dam dam
Artichoke River Dam
The Artichoke River Dam in Massachusetts, built in 1950, stands as a masonry structure with a height of 14.9 feet and a hydraulic height of 9.2 feet. With a storage capacity of 176 acre-feet, it serves various purposes including flood control and water supply management. The dam, located in Newburyport, is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, ensuring state inspections and enforcement measures are in place.
Despite its low hazard potential, the Artichoke River Dam currently has a poor condition assessment as of the last inspection in May 2015. It is listed as a moderate risk (3) structure, with a recommended inspection frequency of 10 years. While the dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, it meets state permitting and regulatory requirements. The dam's association with the Artichoke River and its vital role in water resource management make it a significant structure for climate and water resource enthusiasts.
Overall, the Artichoke River Dam is a critical infrastructure piece in Essex County, Massachusetts, helping to regulate the flow of the Artichoke River and providing essential water management services. As a privately owned dam, it plays a crucial role in flood control and water supply for the surrounding area. Despite its current poor condition assessment, the dam's state-regulated status ensures ongoing inspections and enforcement measures to maintain its structural integrity and functionality. For those interested in water resources and climate, the Artichoke River Dam serves as a noteworthy example of the importance of dam infrastructure in managing and safeguarding our water sources.
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 Artichoke River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Parker River At Byfield | 9 cfs | → |
| Ipswich River Near Ipswich | 72 cfs | → |
| Exeter River At Haigh Road | 52 cfs | → |
| Spicket River At North Salem | 0 cfs | → |
| Spicket River Near Methuen | 16 cfs | → |
| Winnicut River At Greenland | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Artichoke River Dam.
Boat launches
- Attitash Avenue 39, Merrimac
- Water Street 208, Newburyport
- Newburyport Turnpike 290-304, Newbury
- Nancy Street 8, Plum Island
- Plum Island Turnpike Newbury
- Cottage Road Newbury
Campgrounds
- Salisbury State Park Reservation
- Tidewater Campground
- Windham Town Forest Tent Platforms
- Camp Evergreen
- Remote Campsite
- Old Stage Campground
Paddle runs
Track Artichoke River 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 Artichoke River Dam
Where does the data for Artichoke River 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 Artichoke River Dam.