Bethune Pond Dam dam
Bethune Pond Dam
Bethune Pond Dam, located in Topsfield, Massachusetts, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for recreation. Standing at a height of 14.5 feet with a hydraulic height of 9 feet, the dam serves as a controlled spillway for the tributary to Ipswich River. With a normal storage capacity of 11 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 68 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 4.8 acres and drains a 0.5 square mile watershed area.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam is in fair condition as of its last assessment in May 2012. It is regulated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts, with inspections conducted every 5 years. The risk assessment for Bethune Pond Dam is very high, indicating the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring to ensure the safety of the surrounding area in case of emergencies. The dam has not been modified in recent years, and no emergency action plan or inundation maps have been prepared as of the latest available data.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Bethune Pond Dam will find it to be a unique recreational structure with a vital role in managing water flow in the Ipswich River watershed. As a privately owned dam in a picturesque location, it serves as a reminder of the importance of proper dam maintenance and risk management in the face of potential hazards. With its controlled spillway and significant hazard potential, Bethune Pond Dam presents both challenges and opportunities for maintaining a balance between recreation and safety in the region.
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 Bethune Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ipswich River Near Ipswich | 111 cfs | → |
| Ipswich River At South Middleton | 16 cfs | → |
| Parker River At Byfield | 19 cfs | → |
| Saugus R At Saugus Iron Works At Saugus | 8 cfs | → |
| Shawsheen River Near Wilmington | 15 cfs | → |
| Aberjona River At Winchester | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bethune Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Ipswich Road Topsfield
- Boxford Road 41-43, Ipswich
- Chebacco Road 340, Hamilton
- Stiles Pond Road 4.0, Boxford
- East Street 65, Ipswich
- West Main Street 206, Georgetown
Track Bethune 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 Bethune Pond Dam
Where does the data for Bethune 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 Bethune Pond Dam.