Ipswich Mills Dam Removal Feasibility Study Complete!

Aerial image of the Ipswich Mills Dam and Riverwalk (top left). 

In 2010, a unanimous vote by the Ipswich Board of Selectmen initiated the exploration of the environmental, technical, logistical and economic factors surrounding the removal of the Ipswich Mills Dam.  In 2014, a bathymetric survey (Norde-East Survey, 2014) and preliminary feasibility study (Horsley Witten Group et al., 2014) were completed, which recommended a full feasibility study, including further investigation of nearby buildings.  In 2015, the Town of Ipswich in conjunction with the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), lead consultant Horsley Witten Group and Ipswich River Watershed Association commenced a full feasibility study.  As part of this process, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was formed which included representatives from the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA), the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), EBSCO Publishing, the Town of Ipswich Department of Public Works, Conservation Commission, Historic Commission and Planning Department.

The 2019 feasibility study generated findings on flooding and hydraulics, ecology, recreation, sediment transport, cultural resources, technical considerations, costs and impacts to buildings and infrastructure. In addition, the study highlighted potential next steps including additional subsurface investigation of a nearby building interior to inform the design of an appropriate mitigation system (if warranted).

While no decision is currently being made regarding the Ipswich Mills Dam removal, we are nonetheless very pleased to announce that the Ipswich Mills Dam Removal Feasibility Study is now complete and available here.  To spare you the need to read a nearly 500 page technical document, we have distilled the information into a hand dandy fact sheet, available here.  We are currently working with the dam’s owner (Town of Ipswich) and partners on next steps.


We are enormously grateful to MET for their generous support of this important project. If you are interested in  supporting environmental programs in Massachusetts, you can buy a specialty plate that will help the Massachusetts Environmental Trust continue to protect our coasts and waterways. You can purchase a specialty plate online, without having to visit the RMV!

If you have any questions, please contact Science and Restoration Program Manager, Kaitlyn Shaw: [email protected]

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