Bull Brook Reservoir Dam

TRIBUTARY OF EGYPT RIVER· Essex, Massachusetts· Built 1988· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Bull Brook Reservoir Dam is classified as low hazard in Massachusetts. It was completed in 1988 and is 38 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 25.5% in MA)
Dam Length170 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage100 acre-ft
Normal Storage85 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Year Completed1988 (38 years old)
NID IDMA00230

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: November 17, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

Ownership

TOWN OF IPSWICH, UTILITIES DEPARTMENT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bull Brook Reservoir Dam?

Bull Brook Reservoir Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bull Brook Reservoir Dam?

Bull Brook Reservoir Dam is owned by TOWN OF IPSWICH, UTILITIES DEPARTMENT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bull Brook Reservoir Dam built?

Bull Brook Reservoir Dam was completed in 1988, making it 38 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bull Brook Reservoir Dam?

Bull Brook Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bull Brook Reservoir Dam?

Bull Brook Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 11 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bull Brook Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Bull Brook Reservoir Dam was last inspected on November 17, 2015. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.