Union Pond Dam dam
Union Pond Dam
Union Pond Dam, located in Manchester, Connecticut, is a concrete structure completed in 1901 with a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 33 feet and spanning 590 feet in length, this dam has a storage capacity of 720 acre-feet and serves the surrounding area with a normal storage level of 515 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Hockanum River and is under the regulatory oversight of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Union Pond Dam has been assessed as being in poor condition with a high hazard potential. The inspection frequency is set at every 2 years, with the last assessment conducted in August 2016. The dam's outlet gates consist of a slide (sluice gate) system. Given its condition and hazard potential, there is a need for regular monitoring and potential maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
In the event of an emergency, there is no information available regarding the existence or readiness of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for Union Pond Dam. With its high hazard potential, it is essential for local authorities and stakeholders to prioritize the development and implementation of an effective EAP to mitigate risks and protect downstream communities in case of a dam failure or emergency situation. Additionally, regular risk assessments and management measures should be considered to enhance the overall safety and resilience of Union Pond Dam.
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.
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 Union Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hockanum River Near East Hartford | 84 cfs | → |
| Broad Brook At Broad Brook | 18 cfs | → |
| North Branch Park R At Hartford | 9 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Thompsonville | 30,700 cfs | → |
| Willimantic River Near Coventry | 168 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Tariffville | 569 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Union Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- New State Road Trail Manchester
- Bolton Lake (Lower)
- Bissell Bridge (Connecticut River)
- Wilbur Cross Highway East Hartford
- East River Drive East Hartford
- Coventry Lake
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Trout Hatchery
- Toms Creek
- Lake Quassapaug
- Seymour Reservoir Number 4
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Lower Collinsville Dam To The Route 187 Bridge
- The Confluence With The Nepaug River To A Point 0.2 Miles Below The Lower Collinsville Dam Tailrace
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Union Pond Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Union Pond Dam
Where does the data for Union Pond 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 above 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Union Pond Dam.