Sandy Hook

Pootatuck River· Fairfield, Connecticut· Built 1905· Gravity· 35 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Sandy Hook is classified as low hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1905 and is 121 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 91.3% in CT)
Dam Length130 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage60 acre-ft
Normal Storage60 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area25 sq mi
Max Discharge4,280 cfs
Year Completed1905 (121 years old)
NID IDCT00310

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
Last Inspection: June 10, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Sandy Hook Hydro LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sandy Hook?

Sandy Hook 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 Sandy Hook?

Sandy Hook is owned by Sandy Hook Hydro LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sandy Hook built?

Sandy Hook was completed in 1905, making it 121 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 Sandy Hook?

Sandy Hook serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Sandy Hook?

Sandy Hook has a dam height of 35 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 Sandy Hook last inspected?

Sandy Hook was last inspected on June 10, 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.