Lower Scovill Reservoir Dam Dam
Lower Scovill Reservoir Dam
The Lower Scovill Reservoir Dam, also known as Cornelias Pond Dam, is a significant earth dam located in Waterbury, Connecticut. Built in 1917, this dam serves primarily for recreation purposes and stands at a height of 15 feet with a length of 600 feet. It holds a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 5 acres, drawing water from the Mad River.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Lower Scovill Reservoir Dam poses a high hazard potential but has been assessed to be in fair condition as of December 2019. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 132 feet and outlet gates controlled by valves. In case of emergencies, the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status is unspecified, with the last revision dating back to August 2014.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Lower Scovill Reservoir Dam offers a glimpse into the history of water management and recreational infrastructure in the region. With a moderate risk assessment rating and regular inspections, this dam remains a vital component of the local water system, providing essential storage and flood control measures along the Mad River. As efforts continue to enhance dam safety and emergency preparedness, the Lower Scovill Reservoir Dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to manage and protect our water resources in a sustainable manner.
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 Lower Scovill Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac River At Southington | 10 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Thomaston | 22 cfs | → |
| Nonewaug River At Minortown | 4 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Beacon Falls | 113 cfs | → |
| Quinnipiac River At Wallingford | 74 cfs | → |
| Mill R Nr Hamden | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Scovill Reservoir 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 Lower Scovill Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Lower Scovill 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 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.