Usmc Pond Upper Dam is an earth dam located in Essex County, Massachusetts, built in 1904. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 17 ft17 ft tall and 250 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Usmc Pond Upper Dam
The primary purpose of Usmc Pond Upper 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 New Horizons Beverly, Inc. (private). It impounds the Bass River near Beverly.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 58 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1904, 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 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 03/23/2022.
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 | Beverly |
| River/Stream | Bass River |
| Coordinates | 42.56042, -70.88890 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1904 (122 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 58 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 58 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 38 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 7 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 660 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | New Horizons Beverly, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 03/23/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00183 |
| Federal ID | MA00183 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |