Laurel Lake Dam Dam
Laurel Lake Dam
Laurel Lake Dam, located in East Hartford, Connecticut, serves as a vital structure in the management of the Hockanum River. This masonry dam stands at a height of 13 feet and spans 85 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 420 acre-feet and a surface area of 105 acres. While the primary purpose of Laurel Lake Dam is categorized as 'Other', it plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of water and maintaining the ecological balance within the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Laurel Lake Dam is subject to state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite being designated as 'Undetermined' in terms of hazard potential and 'Not Rated' in condition assessment, the dam remains a key component in the water resource infrastructure of Hartford County. As a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Laurel Lake Dam offers a unique opportunity to observe the intersection of human engineering with the natural environment.
With its proximity to the Hockanum River and the involvement of various state agencies in its management, Laurel Lake Dam presents a fascinating case study for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience. As the dam continues to be monitored and inspected for safety and functionality, it stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to balance human needs with environmental protection in the face of a changing climate.
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 Laurel Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hockanum River Near East Hartford | 46 cfs | → |
| North Branch Park R At Hartford | 4 cfs | → |
| Broad Brook At Broad Brook | 11 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Tariffville | 263 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook Near West Suffield | 1 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Thompsonville | 4,740 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Laurel Lake 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 Laurel Lake Dam
Where does the data for Laurel Lake 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 Undetermined 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.