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.
Dam profile
NID height · 54 ft54 ft tall and 560 ft long, taller than 94% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
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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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Essex |
| Nearest City | Gloucester |
| River/Stream | Tributary of Little River |
| Coordinates | 42.60321, -70.72422 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 54 ft |
| Dam Length | 560 ft |
| Year Completed | 1894 (132 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,900 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,950 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 108 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,280 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Gloucester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/04/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00156 |
| Federal ID | MA00156 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |