SOUTH MIDDLETON DAM

SOUTH MIDDLETON DAM PROJECT

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Owned by Bostik Inc., this stone and wood dam is the last dam encountered along the mainstem of the Ipswich River. The dam does not have fish passage and therefore obstructs over 56 river miles from migratory fish access. There are several tributary streams upstream of the South Middleton Dam that would be opened to fish migration following dam removal. Dam removal also has the potential to restore access to over 119 acres of historically important spawning ponds for Alewife. The dam is listed as a significant hazard dam by the MA Office of Dam Safety and is showing significant signs of wear that will eventually need to be addressed for the dam to remain in place. Thankfully, Bostik, Inc. has decided to remove the dam and progress has been made towards that goal.

TIMELINE & MILESTONES

December 2022: Sediment upstream of the dam was sampled for PFAS and results showed negligible concentrations.

May 2020: Massachusetts DEP Chapter 401 Clean Water Act Water Quality Permit and Chapter 91 Waterways Permit submitted

June 2020: Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, unanimous vote from the Middleton Conservation Commission to issue an Order of Conditions for the Notice of Intent 

2019: Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Certification Received

February 2018: Permitting begins, Ecological Restoration Limited Project (Project Fact Sheet)

May 2018: Cultural Resources Survey and Intensive (Locational) Archaeological Survey South Middleton Dam Removal Project (The Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc, 2018).

January 2017: Pumping Station Impact Evaluation Technical Memorandum finalized (CDM Smith et al, 2019).

June 2014: Design/engineering work began

2009-2011: Partial Feasibility Study conducted to investigate sediment contamination, sediment management possibilities, and Bostik infrastructure needs. This study was conducted in two phases.

Partial Feasibility Study: Phase I Technical Memorandum (Interfluve, 2010)

South Middleton Cost Refinements for Dam Removal and Fire Suppression Alternative (Interfluve, 2011)

2010: Macroinvertebrate Assessment conducted to establish baseline conditions (IRWA, 2011)

2006: MA Riverways funded site reconnaissance study for this and the Ipswich Mills Dam (Woodlot Alternatives, 2006)

As of 2014 project partners are actively seeking funding to support the design and implementation phases of this dam removal project

PROJECT PARTNERS

Project Team: Bostik Inc (owner/project lead), Ipswich River Watershed Association, NOAA Restoration Center, MA Division of Ecological Restoration, Interfluve