Woodridge Lake Dam

MARSHEPAUG RIVER· Litchfield, Connecticut· Built 1970· Earth· 34 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Woodridge Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Connecticut. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 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 34 ft (taller than 90.8% in CT)
Dam Length1,320 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage9.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage6.5K acre-ft
Surface Area385 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Max Discharge6,340 cfs
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDCT00452

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: April 12, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: DEEP

Ownership

Woodridge Lake Property Owners Association

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Woodridge Lake Dam?

Woodridge 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 Woodridge Lake Dam?

Woodridge Lake Dam is owned by Woodridge Lake Property Owners Association (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Woodridge Lake Dam built?

Woodridge Lake Dam was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 Woodridge Lake Dam?

Woodridge 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 Woodridge Lake Dam?

Woodridge Lake Dam has a dam height of 34 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 Woodridge Lake Dam last inspected?

Woodridge Lake Dam was last inspected on April 12, 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.