Shenipsit Lake Dam dam
Shenipsit Lake Dam
Shenipsit Lake Dam, located in Rockville, Connecticut, stands as a vital structure managed by a public utility for water supply purposes. Completed in 1903, this masonry dam boasts a height of 27 feet and a length of 214 feet, with a storage capacity of 8,700 acre-feet. Situated on the Hockanum River, the dam plays a crucial role in providing water to the region, with a maximum discharge capacity of 2,600 cubic feet per second.
Despite its age, Shenipsit Lake Dam has been well-maintained, with regular inspections ensuring its structural integrity. With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is equipped with a 48-foot uncontrolled spillway and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam's location in Tolland County makes it a key component of the region's water resource infrastructure, highlighting the importance of its continued upkeep and management for both water supply and climate resilience.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Shenipsit Lake Dam serves as a fascinating example of historic infrastructure meeting modern-day needs. With its significant storage capacity and strategic location on the Hockanum River, this masonry dam not only provides essential water supply but also presents a unique blend of engineering excellence and environmental stewardship. As efforts continue to ensure the dam's safety and functionality, it stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and natural resource management in the face of changing climate dynamics.
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 Shenipsit Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Brook At Broad Brook | 18 cfs | → |
| Hockanum River Near East Hartford | 91 cfs | → |
| Willimantic River Near Coventry | 144 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Thompsonville | 17,100 cfs | → |
| Mount Hope River Near Warrenville | 35 cfs | → |
| North Branch Park R At Hartford | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shenipsit Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Bolton Lake (Lower)
- New State Road Trail Manchester
- Coventry Lake
- Kings Island (Connecticut River)
- Bissell Bridge (Connecticut River)
- Holbrook Pond
Campgrounds
- Wilderness Lake Campground
- Beech Grove 5
- Brialee
- Primitve Camping Area
- Highland Campground
- Westover Arb Military
Fishing spots
- Trout Hatchery
- Lake Washington Fishing Area
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Twotree Island Channel
- Toms Creek
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
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Confluence With The Nepaug River To A Point 0.2 Miles Below The Lower Collinsville Dam Tailrace
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Lower Collinsville Dam To The Route 187 Bridge
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Shenipsit Lake 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 Shenipsit Lake Dam
Where does the data for Shenipsit 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 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 Shenipsit Lake Dam.