Samp Mortar Reservoir Dam, also known as Lake Hills Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Wind
Humidity
Completed in 1901, this concrete dam stands at a height of 29 feet and spans 320 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 588 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is to provide recreational opportunities for the local community, with a surface area of 40 acres that offers a serene backdrop for outdoor activities.
Managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Samp Mortar Reservoir Dam is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has a spillway width of 185 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type, with a maximum discharge capacity of 5270 cubic feet per second. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is rated as satisfactory, with a moderate risk level based on a risk assessment score of 3.
In the event of an emergency, the dam has an outlet gate system consisting of a slide (sluice gate) for water release. With the surrounding landscape of Fairfield County and the Mill River, the Samp Mortar Reservoir Dam serves as an important water resource and recreational attraction, embodying the intersection of infrastructure, safety, and environmental stewardship in the context of water management and climate resilience.
Year Completed |
1901 |
Dam Length |
320 |
Dam Height |
29 |
River Or Stream |
MILL RIVER |
Primary Dam Type |
Concrete |
Surface Area |
40 |
Drainage Area |
24.2 |
Nid Storage |
588 |
Outlet Gates |
Slide (sluice gate) |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Rock |
Nid Height |
29 |
Mill R Nr Fairfield
|
65cfs |
Rooster River At Fairfield
|
3cfs |
Sasco Brook Near Southport
|
4cfs |
Saugatuck R Nr Westport
|
32cfs |
Norwalk R At South Wilton
|
23cfs |
Saugatuck River Near Redding
|
22cfs |