Bleachery Dam

HOUSATONIC RIVER· Litchfield, Connecticut· Built 1920· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Bleachery Dam is classified as low hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1920 and is 106 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 58.6% in CT)
Dam Length300 ft
Max Storage800 acre-ft
Normal Storage800 acre-ft
Surface Area100 acres
Drainage Area1,120 sq mi
Max Discharge21,000 cfs
Year Completed1920 (106 years old)
NID IDCT00229

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 20, 2014
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEEP

Ownership

Town of New Milford

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bleachery Dam?

Bleachery Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bleachery Dam?

Bleachery Dam is owned by Town of New Milford (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bleachery Dam built?

Bleachery Dam was completed in 1920, making it 106 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 Bleachery Dam?

Bleachery 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 Bleachery Dam?

Bleachery Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Bleachery Dam last inspected?

Bleachery Dam was last inspected on October 20, 2014. 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.