Bethune Pond Dam
Bethune Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Essex County, Massachusetts. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Bethune Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Bethune Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by 145 Salem Road Realty Trust;town Of Topsfield (local government). It impounds the Tributary To Ipswich River near Topsfield.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 130 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 68 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles.
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. The most recent inspection on record was 12/02/2021.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Essex |
| Nearest City | Topsfield |
| River/Stream | Tributary To Ipswich River |
| Coordinates | 42.61142, -70.94399 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 130 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 68 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 68 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 11 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 179 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | 145 Salem Road Realty Trust;Town of Topsfield |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/02/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA01613 |
| Federal ID | MA01613 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |