Suntaug Lake Dam
Suntaug Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Essex County, Massachusetts, built in 1971. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Suntaug Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Suntaug Lake 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 Peabody (local government). It impounds the Ipswich River near Peabody.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 235 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 155 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1971, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/17/2023.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Massachusetts dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Essex |
| Nearest City | Peabody |
| River/Stream | Ipswich River |
| Coordinates | 42.52869, -71.00742 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 235 ft |
| Year Completed | 1971 (55 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,840 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 155 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 666 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Peabody |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/17/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA01139 |
| Federal ID | MA01139 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |