Oxoboxo Lake Dam

OXOBOXO BROOK· New London, Connecticut· Built 1810· Earth· 24 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Oxoboxo Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1810 and is 216 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 24 ft (taller than 81.2% in CT)
Dam Length160 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.0K acre-ft
Surface Area161 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge400 cfs
Year Completed1810 (216 years old)
NID IDCT00238

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: December 13, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEEP

Ownership

WestRock

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Oxoboxo Lake Dam?

Oxoboxo Lake 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 Oxoboxo Lake Dam?

Oxoboxo Lake Dam is owned by WestRock (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Oxoboxo Lake Dam built?

Oxoboxo Lake Dam was completed in 1810, making it 216 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 Oxoboxo Lake Dam?

Oxoboxo Lake 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 Oxoboxo Lake Dam?

Oxoboxo Lake Dam has a dam height of 24 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 Oxoboxo Lake Dam last inspected?

Oxoboxo Lake Dam was last inspected on December 13, 2018. 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.