South Norwalk Reservoir Dam dam
South Norwalk Reservoir Dam
The South Norwalk Reservoir Dam, also known as City Lake, is a vital infrastructure in Fairfield, Connecticut, serving as a key element in the public utility's water supply system. Completed in 1899, this earth dam stands at 36 feet high and stretches 870 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 3,180 acre-feet. Situated on the Belden Hill Brook, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and ensuring a stable water supply for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in Connecticut, the South Norwalk Reservoir Dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in satisfactory condition. With a spillway width of 49 feet and an outlet gate system in place, the dam is equipped to handle a maximum discharge of 2,700 cubic feet per second. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last assessment taking place in July 2017, ensuring that the dam meets safety standards and remains a reliable source of water for the community.
As a significant piece of infrastructure in the region, the South Norwalk Reservoir Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance, the dam continues to fulfill its primary purpose of providing a reliable water supply to the residents of Silvermine and the surrounding areas in Fairfield County.
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 South Norwalk Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Norwalk R At South Wilton | 10 cfs | → |
| Fivemile River Near New Canaan | 0 cfs | → |
| Saugatuck R Nr Westport | 18 cfs | → |
| Sasco Brook Near Southport | 3 cfs | → |
| Saugatuck River Near Redding | 6 cfs | → |
| Rippowam River At Stamford | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Norwalk Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Saugatuck River
- Hillspoint Road Westport
- Roosevelt Road Westport
- Maple Way 10, Town Of North Castle
- Seagate Road 3, Greenwich
- Lake Kenosia
Campgrounds
- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
- Mountain Lakes Park
- Youth Camp Ii
- Youth Camp Iii
- Youth Camp I
- Kettletown State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- 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 South Norwalk Reservoir 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 South Norwalk Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for South Norwalk Reservoir 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 South Norwalk Reservoir Dam.