Beverly-01A

Beverly, Shoe Pond / Bass River

42.558605, -70.888097

Dimensions: 31ft diameter, 5.5ft height
Condition: Good
Comments: There was no culvert at this location, the restriction was a concrete dam built in 1904. The approximate spillway dimensions were as follows: width 31'; height 5.5'. The spillway appeared to be in good condition with no visible signs of deterioration.

Comprehensive field assessment conducted in 2024

Upstream Invasive Species: Yes
Downstream Invasive Species: No
Invasive Species Notes: Limited to small pockets of fringe.
Additional Comments (2024): Tide gates are built into dam that creates Shoe Pond impoundment. Impoundment was mill pond created in early 1900s. Tide gates appear to managed as closed most of the time to maintain impoundment but limits upstream tidal influence, if any. Ponding has eliminated potential for salt marsh. Restoration potential is very limited.

Legacy data from previous surveys and documentation

Invasive Species: No
Restoration Status: Unknown
Invasive Comments: The upstream impounded area was an old mill pond (shoe pond); invasive marsh species were not observed.
Restoration Comments: Over 15 acres of potential river herring habitat.

General Comments: Site is located at the Cummings Center at the downstream portion of Shoe Pond. Parking was readily available in the close vicinity of the site.
Operation Plan: No
Operation Comments: It appeared that the function of both gates was to potentially drain water out of the upstream impoundment for maintenance or other reasons.
Gate Comments: There were two tide gates at this location – Beverly-01A was located on the western end of the spillway and appeared to have been previously removed. At the time of the site visit, it was a concrete pipe capped with steel sheeting on both ends; however, it appeared to have been previously used as a control structure. The pipe that housed the previous tide gate appeared to be in good condition and could potentially be modified in the future for additional uses (fish ladder, etc.). Beverly-01B was located on the eastern end of the spillway and was a steel sluice gate operated by a handwheel. Grease was observed on the handwheel, so it appeared that the gate was periodically operated. The tide gate was in fair condition – the metal sluice gate was badly corroded and was leaking.

Elevation Comments: Staining was apparent on the downstream (D/S) end of the headwall (HW) so approximate extent of D/S tidal influence was able to be assessed in addition to tide gate (TG) invert elevations. Staining was readily not apparent on the upstream (U/S) end of the spillway. The below lists measuredowns taken with a surveyors rod and corresponding top of headwall LiDAR elevations (NAVD88 datum). 1) TG Inv (D/S tide gate): Top of HW El (D/S) = 6.53’; Inv Measuredown = 6.79’; TG Inv = 6.79’ – 7.10 = -0.31’ 2) Upstream Tidal Influence: N/A 3) Downstream Tidal Influence: Top of headwall LiDAR elevation = 10.10’; Staining Measuredown = 4.4’; D/S Tidal Influence = 10.10’ – 4.4’ = 5.70’