Bunnells Pond Dam

PEQUONNOCK RIVER· Fairfield, Connecticut· Built 1906· Earth· 32 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Bunnells Pond Dam is classified as high hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1906 and is 120 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 32 ft (taller than 89.8% in CT)
Dam Length1,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage800 acre-ft
Normal Storage800 acre-ft
Surface Area37 acres
Drainage Area24 sq mi
Max Discharge12,000 cfs
Year Completed1906 (120 years old)
NID IDCT00076

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: October 1, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEEP

Ownership

Connecticut DEEP

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bunnells Pond Dam?

Bunnells 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 Bunnells Pond Dam?

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

When was Bunnells Pond Dam built?

Bunnells Pond Dam was completed in 1906, making it 120 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 Bunnells Pond Dam?

Bunnells 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 Bunnells Pond Dam?

Bunnells Pond Dam has a dam height of 32 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 Bunnells Pond Dam last inspected?

Bunnells Pond Dam was last inspected on October 1, 2020. 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.