Samuel P.
Wind
Humidity
Senior Dam, also known as Saugatuck Reservoir, is a concrete dam located in Westport, Connecticut, along the Saugatuck River. Completed in 1941, this dam serves as a critical water supply infrastructure for the region, with a storage capacity of 42,000 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 36,800 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 130 feet and stretches 990 feet in length, with a maximum discharge capacity of 15,600 cubic feet per second.
This dam is owned and regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), with a high hazard potential due to its location and storage capacity. Despite the potential risks, the dam's condition assessment as of June 2019 was deemed satisfactory, and it undergoes regular inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety measures are up to standard. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 299 feet and utilizes slide gates as its outlet mechanism.
With its crucial role in providing water supply for the area, Samuel P. Senior Dam stands as a significant piece of infrastructure that requires meticulous monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of nearby communities. As a key component in the region's water resource management system, this dam represents a balance between the benefits of water supply and the risks associated with high hazard potential, highlighting the importance of proactive risk management measures and emergency preparedness protocols.
Year Completed |
1941 |
Dam Length |
990 |
Dam Height |
130 |
River Or Stream |
SAUGATUCK RIVER |
Primary Dam Type |
Concrete |
Surface Area |
868 |
Drainage Area |
34.6 |
Nid Storage |
42000 |
Outlet Gates |
Slide (sluice gate) |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Rock |
Nid Height |
130 |
Saugatuck River Near Redding
|
22cfs |
Saugatuck R Nr Westport
|
32cfs |
Norwalk R At South Wilton
|
23cfs |
Sasco Brook Near Southport
|
4cfs |
Mill R Nr Fairfield
|
65cfs |
Rooster River At Fairfield
|
3cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Youth Camp II
|
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Youth Camp III
|
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Youth Camp I
|
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Mountain Lakes Park
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Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
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