Farmington Reservoir Dam

PEQUABUCK RIVER TRIB· Hartford, Connecticut· Built 1895· Earth· 8 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Farmington Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1895 and is 131 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 8 ft (taller than 17.6% in CT)
Dam Length760 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage64 acre-ft
Normal Storage24 acre-ft
Surface Area14 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge525 cfs
Year Completed1895 (131 years old)
NID IDCT00263

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 24, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEEP

Ownership

Town of Farmington

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Farmington Reservoir Dam?

Farmington Reservoir 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 Farmington Reservoir Dam?

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

When was Farmington Reservoir Dam built?

Farmington Reservoir Dam was completed in 1895, making it 131 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 Farmington Reservoir Dam?

Farmington Reservoir 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 Farmington Reservoir Dam?

Farmington Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 8 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 Farmington Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Farmington Reservoir Dam was last inspected on May 24, 2019. 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.