Lake Gaillard East Dike

Branford River· New Haven, Connecticut· Built 1929· Earth· 22 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Lake Gaillard East Dike is classified as high hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1929 and is 97 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 22 ft (taller than 78.5% in CT)
Dam Length1,680 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage53.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage48.0K acre-ft
Surface Area1,110 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge2,180 cfs
Year Completed1929 (97 years old)
Year Modified2012
NID IDCT00387

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 5, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEEP

Ownership

South Central CT RWA

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Gaillard East Dike?

Lake Gaillard East 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 Lake Gaillard East Dike?

Lake Gaillard East Dike is owned by South Central CT RWA (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Gaillard East Dike built?

Lake Gaillard East Dike was completed in 1929, making it 97 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 Lake Gaillard East Dike?

Lake Gaillard East Dike serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Gaillard East Dike?

Lake Gaillard East Dike has a dam height of 22 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 Lake Gaillard East Dike last inspected?

Lake Gaillard East Dike was last inspected on November 5, 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.