Mcgrath Dam

YANTIC RIVER· New London, Connecticut· Built 1900· Masonry· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Mcgrath Dam is classified as low hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 29.6% in CT)
Dam Length180 ft
Dam TypeMasonry
Max Storage60 acre-ft
Normal Storage20 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area38 sq mi
Max Discharge3,700 cfs
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDCT00553

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEEP

Ownership

Connecticut DEEP

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mcgrath Dam?

Mcgrath Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Mcgrath Dam?

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

When was Mcgrath Dam built?

Mcgrath 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 Mcgrath Dam?

Mcgrath 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 Mcgrath Dam?

Mcgrath Dam has a dam height of 10 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.

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.