Dow Brook Reservoir Dam
Dow Brook Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Essex County, Massachusetts, built in 1895. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Dow Brook Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Dow Brook Reservoir 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 Town Of Ipswich (local government). It impounds the Dow Brook near Ipswich.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 260 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1895, 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 11/17/2021.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Essex |
| Nearest City | Ipswich |
| River/Stream | Dow Brook |
| Coordinates | 42.69829, -70.87094 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1895 (131 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 260 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 260 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 185 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 840 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Ipswich |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/17/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00165 |
| Federal ID | MA00165 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |