Rocky River Main Dam dam
Rocky River Main Dam
Rocky River Main Dam, also known as Candlewood Lake Dam, is a crucial structure located in New Milford, Connecticut, serving as a public utility for hydroelectric power generation and recreation purposes. Completed in 1929, this dam stands at 107 feet high and spans 952 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 172,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 5,600 acres. Situated on the Rocky River, it is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and is not regulated by the state.
The dam's high hazard potential and risk assessment rating of 2 emphasize the importance of regular inspections and emergency preparedness. With a history of no recorded condition assessments, the dam remains in an unknown state of maintenance. Despite lacking a spillway, the dam's design and operational safety measures are overseen by FERC, ensuring compliance with federal regulations. The presence of six associated structures further highlights the significance of the Rocky River Main Dam in managing water resources and mitigating potential risks to downstream areas.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Rocky River Main Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of infrastructure, energy production, and environmental stewardship. Its role in harnessing hydropower while providing recreational opportunities underscores the complex balance between human needs and ecological considerations. As discussions around dam safety and resilience continue to evolve, the Rocky River Main Dam stands as a testament to the ongoing challenges and innovations shaping water management practices in the 21st century.
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 Rocky River Main Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Housatonic River At Gaylordsville | 1,220 cfs | → |
| Tenmile River Near Gaylordsville | 211 cfs | → |
| Still River At Route 7 At Brookfield Center | 46 cfs | → |
| East Branch Croton River Near Putnam Lake Ny | 39 cfs | → |
| Weekeepeemee River At Hotchkissville | 15 cfs | → |
| Shepaug River At Peters Dam At Woodville | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rocky River Main Dam .
Boat launches
- Grove Street 251, New Milford
- Squantz Pond
- Old Bogus Road 4, New Fairfield
- South Kent Road Kent
- Lake Lillinonah
- Candlewood Lake (Lattins Cove)
Campgrounds
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
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent 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
Track Rocky River Main 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 Rocky River Main Dam
Where does the data for Rocky River Main 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 Rocky River Main Dam .