Lake Wintergreen Dam

WINTERGREEN BROOK· New Haven, Connecticut· Built 1863· Earth· 31 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Wintergreen Dam is classified as high hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1863 and is 163 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 31 ft (taller than 89.2% in CT)
Dam Length900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage540 acre-ft
Normal Storage307 acre-ft
Surface Area44 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge850 cfs
Year Completed1863 (163 years old)
NID IDCT00118

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: October 1, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEEP

Ownership

Connecticut DEEP

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Wintergreen Dam?

Lake Wintergreen 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 Lake Wintergreen Dam?

Lake Wintergreen Dam is owned by Connecticut DEEP (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Wintergreen Dam built?

Lake Wintergreen Dam was completed in 1863, making it 163 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 Wintergreen Dam?

Lake Wintergreen Dam 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 Wintergreen Dam?

Lake Wintergreen Dam has a dam height of 31 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 Wintergreen Dam last inspected?

Lake Wintergreen Dam was last inspected on October 1, 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.