Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam
Key Takeaway
Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam is classified as high hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 | 29 ft (taller than 86.8% in CT) |
| Dam Length | 4,250 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 5.9K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4.1K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 371 acres |
| Drainage Area | 10 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 5,400 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
| NID ID | CT00481 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
Connecticut DEEP
State Government
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What is the hazard classification of Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam?
Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 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 Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam?
Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam is owned by Connecticut DEEP (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam built?
Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam?
Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam?
Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam has a dam height of 29 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 Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam last inspected?
Ellithorpe Flood Control Site #5 Dam was last inspected on April 29, 2015. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.