The Upper Ipswich drains a watershed that is over 50% developed, and where water withdrawals for public water supply are relatively large. Wetlands still make up almost 20% of the watershed.

The Upper Ipswich is being studied along a section of river located on the Reading and N. Reading borders. The study site is located downstream of where both the towns of Wilmington and Reading withdraw large amounts of water to supply the citizens of their communities with water. Most of this water is pumped out of the watershed to the Deer Island treatment facility in Boston. Because of the large amount of water withdrawal, flow in this section of the river has gone dangerously low during certain periods of drought, and is often lower than would otherwise be.

Compare water flow and water quality in the Upper Ipswich with those measured in Fish Br. (by clicking on "Paired Site"), a comparable sized stream but with much less development and no large scale water withdrawals.