Lake Basile Dam Dam
Lake Basile Dam
Lake Basile Dam, located in Simsbury, Connecticut, serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area. Constructed in 1940, this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans 250 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 74 acre-feet for recreational purposes. With a spillway width of 24 feet and a maximum discharge of 491 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and ensuring public safety.
The dam's condition assessment is deemed satisfactory, although its hazard potential is considered significant. With a moderate risk rating, the dam undergoes inspection every seven years to ensure its structural integrity and emergency preparedness. The dam is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), highlighting the state's commitment to water resource management and climate resilience. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Basile Dam represents a blend of recreational enjoyment and environmental stewardship, showcasing the importance of sustainable infrastructure in safeguarding our natural resources.
As a focal point in the Munnisunk Brook watershed, Lake Basile Dam not only provides recreational opportunities but also contributes to flood control and water supply management in the region. With its historical significance and continued regulatory oversight, the dam serves as a prime example of how infrastructure can harmonize with nature to support both human needs and ecological balance. For those interested in water resource management and climate adaptation, Lake Basile Dam offers a compelling case study of the intricate relationship between infrastructure, natural systems, and community resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Lake Basile Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Farmington River At Tariffville | 263 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook Near West Suffield | 1 cfs | → |
| North Branch Park R At Hartford | 4 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Thompsonville | 4,740 cfs | → |
| Hubbard River Nr. West Hartland | 2 cfs | → |
| Broad Brook At Broad Brook | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Basile 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 Lake Basile Dam
Where does the data for Lake Basile 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 Significant 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.