Dykes Meadow Dam

Dykes Meadow Dam is an earth dam located in Essex County, Massachusetts, built in 1894. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Dykes Meadow Dam

The primary purpose of Dykes Meadow Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Gloucester (local government). It impounds the Tributary Of Little River near Gloucester.

The dam stands 54 feet tall and stretches 560 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 108 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1894, the structure is over a century old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/04/2020.

At 54 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateMassachusetts
CountyEssex
Nearest CityGloucester
River/StreamTributary Of Little River
Coordinates42.60321, -70.72422

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height54 ft
Dam Length560 ft
Year Completed1894 (132 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage2,900 acre-ft
Max Storage2,900 acre-ft
Normal Storage1,950 acre-ft
Surface Area108 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge2,280 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerCity of Gloucester
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection05/04/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDMA00156
Federal IDMA00156
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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