Hartford Reservoir #5 Dam Dam
Hartford Reservoir #5 Dam
Hartford Reservoir #5 Dam, located in West Hartford, Connecticut, is a critical water supply infrastructure serving the region since its completion in 1884. This earth dam stands at 24 feet tall and stretches 550 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 301 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 156 acre-feet. The dam's purpose is primarily for water supply, reflecting its importance in sustaining the local community's water needs.
Despite its age, the dam has been regularly inspected and maintained, with the most recent assessment in July 2019 rating its condition as fair. The hazard potential is classified as high, emphasizing the need for ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, the dam is actively monitored to mitigate any potential threats and safeguard against emergencies.
In the event of a crisis, emergency action plans are in place to guide response efforts, although the last revision dates back to March 2016. The dam's location on an unnamed river or stream underscores its significance in managing water resources in the area, with the spillway designed as uncontrolled and capable of handling a maximum discharge of 2330 cubic feet per second. Hartford Reservoir #5 Dam serves as a vital component of the region's water infrastructure, highlighting the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in ensuring sustainable water access for the community.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Hartford Reservoir #5 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Park R At Hartford | 4 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Unionville | 143 cfs | → |
| Burlington Brook Near Burlington | 1 cfs | → |
| Hockanum River Near East Hartford | 46 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Tariffville | 263 cfs | → |
| Quinnipiac River At Southington | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hartford Reservoir #5 Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Hartford Reservoir #5 Dam
Where does the data for Hartford Reservoir #5 Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card below for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.