Plainville Reservoir Aka Crescent Lake Dam Dam
Plainville Reservoir Aka Crescent Lake Dam
Located in Southington, Connecticut, the Plainville Reservoir, also known as Crescent Lake Dam, is a historic masonry dam completed in 1884 primarily for water supply purposes. With a height of 17 feet and a length of 688 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 528 acre-feet and a surface area of 55 acres. It is situated on the Patton Brook Tributary and is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
The dam has a high hazard potential and is rated in fair condition as of the last assessment in July 2020. It is inspected every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. In case of emergencies, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) may be in place, although the last revision date was in 2006. The dam is not associated with any federal agencies for ownership, funding, or construction, but it falls under the jurisdiction of the local government in Hartford County, Connecticut.
Plainville Reservoir serves as a vital water resource for the community, providing essential water supply for the region. Despite its age, the dam continues to play a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts. As climate change impacts water resources, monitoring and maintaining the integrity of dams like Crescent Lake Dam become increasingly important to ensure the safety and sustainability of water sources in the area.
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 Plainville Reservoir Aka Crescent Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac River At Southington | 19 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Unionville | 156 cfs | → |
| Coginchaug River At Middlefield | 23 cfs | → |
| Burlington Brook Near Burlington | 2 cfs | → |
| North Branch Park R At Hartford | 8 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Thomaston | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Plainville Reservoir Aka Crescent Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Plainville Reservoir Aka Crescent Lake Dam
Where does the data for Plainville Reservoir Aka Crescent 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 below 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.
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.