Hanover Reservoir Dam

LITTLE RIVER· New London, Connecticut· Built 1900· Earth· 27 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Hanover Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 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 27 ft (taller than 85.1% in CT)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage400 acre-ft
Normal Storage210 acre-ft
Surface Area22 acres
Drainage Area33 sq mi
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDCT00470

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: November 21, 2014
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEEP

Ownership

Baron;Cheney;Town of Sprague

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hanover Reservoir Dam?

Hanover 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 Hanover Reservoir Dam?

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

When was Hanover Reservoir Dam built?

Hanover Reservoir Dam was completed in 1900, making it 126 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 Hanover Reservoir Dam?

Hanover 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 Hanover Reservoir Dam?

Hanover Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Hanover Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Hanover Reservoir Dam was last inspected on November 21, 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.