Barber Pond Dam

MILL BROOK· Hartford, Connecticut· Built 1955· Earth· 11 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Barber Pond Dam is classified as high hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 37.9% in CT)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage66 acre-ft
Normal Storage66 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDCT00269

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 8, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEEP

Ownership

Connecticut DEEP

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Barber Pond Dam?

Barber Pond Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Barber Pond Dam?

Barber Pond Dam is owned by Connecticut DEEP (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Barber Pond Dam built?

Barber Pond Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Barber Pond Dam?

Barber Pond Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Barber Pond Dam?

Barber Pond 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 Barber Pond Dam last inspected?

Barber Pond Dam was last inspected on November 8, 2018. 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.