Canoe Brook Lake West Dike

HORSE TAVERN BROOK· Fairfield, Connecticut· Built 1870· Earth· 16 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Canoe Brook Lake West Dike is classified as high hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1870 and is 156 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 16 ft (taller than 63.7% in CT)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage580 acre-ft
Surface Area62 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1870 (156 years old)
NID IDCT00082

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: May 21, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEEP

Ownership

Canoe Brook Lake Association

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Canoe Brook Lake West Dike?

Canoe Brook Lake West Dike 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 Canoe Brook Lake West Dike?

Canoe Brook Lake West Dike is owned by Canoe Brook Lake Association (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Canoe Brook Lake West Dike built?

Canoe Brook Lake West Dike was completed in 1870, making it 156 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 Canoe Brook Lake West Dike?

Canoe Brook Lake West Dike 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 Canoe Brook Lake West Dike?

Canoe Brook Lake West Dike has a dam height of 16 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 Canoe Brook Lake West Dike last inspected?

Canoe Brook Lake West Dike was last inspected on May 21, 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.