Lake Forest Dam dam
Lake Forest Dam
Lake Forest Dam, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was completed in 1899 and serves as a recreational resource for the community. This private earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and has a length of 1650 feet, creating a surface area of 71 acres and a drainage area of 1.45 square miles. With a maximum storage capacity of 908 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 852 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, but its condition assessment is rated as satisfactory as of the last inspection in November 2016. The dam has regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite its age, Lake Forest Dam continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities and water storage capabilities for the surrounding area. With its location on Island Brook and its proximity to the New England District, the dam serves as an important landmark in the region for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Lake Forest Dam's emergency action plan was last updated in September 2018, indicating a commitment to preparedness and risk management. While there are no associated federal agencies or funding for the dam, its state-regulated status and private ownership demonstrate a collaborative effort to maintain its integrity and address any potential risks. Overall, Lake Forest Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices and serves as a reminder of the intersection between human development and natural resources in the face of a changing climate.
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 Lake Forest Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rooster River At Fairfield | 4 cfs | → |
| Mill R Nr Fairfield | 5 cfs | → |
| Sasco Brook Near Southport | 4 cfs | → |
| Saugatuck R Nr Westport | 20 cfs | → |
| Saugatuck River Near Redding | 19 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Stevenson | 466 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Forest Dam.
Boat launches
- Huntington Street Shelton
- Housatonic River State Boat Launch
- Shipyard Lane Milford
- Lake Housatonic
- Hillspoint Road Westport
- Saugatuck River
Campgrounds
- Youth Camp Iii
- Youth Camp Ii
- Youth Camp I
- Kettletown State Park
- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
- Mountain Lakes Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- 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
Track Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest Dam
Where does the data for Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest Dam.