Hitchcock Lake Central Ave Dam dam
Hitchcock Lake Central Ave Dam
Hitchcock Lake Central Ave Dam, also known simply as Hitchcock Lake, is a vital structure located in Wolcott, Connecticut. Built in 1868, this dam plays a crucial role in regulating the water levels of the North Lake Hitchcock Lake, serving as a key landmark in the New Haven County area. With a height of 8 feet and a length of 450 feet, this Uncontrolled spillway type dam presents a high hazard potential but is currently rated as satisfactory in its condition assessment as of December 2019.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Hitchcock Lake Central Ave Dam undergoes regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam features a valve outlet gate system and is associated with two other structures in the area. While its primary purpose and specific dam type are not explicitly defined, the dam serves as a critical component in the water resource infrastructure of the region, contributing to flood control and water storage capabilities.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate management will find Hitchcock Lake Central Ave Dam to be an intriguing structure with historical significance and practical importance. Positioned in a picturesque setting, this dam stands as a testament to the engineering feats of the past and the ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity and safety of water-related structures. With its moderate risk assessment and satisfactory condition, Hitchcock Lake Central Ave Dam represents a balance between the potential hazards of managing water resources and the necessity of efficient infrastructure in safeguarding communities against environmental threats.
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 Hitchcock Lake Central Ave Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac River At Southington | 33 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Thomaston | 222 cfs | → |
| Quinnipiac River At Wallingford | 297 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Beacon Falls | 657 cfs | → |
| Mill R Nr Hamden | 54 cfs | → |
| Nonewaug River At Minortown | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hitchcock Lake Central Ave Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Plymouth Boulevard 191, Plymouth
- Silver Lake
- North Farms Reservoir
- Black Pond
- Beseck Lake
- Batterson Park Pond
Campgrounds
- Black Rock State Park
- Kettletown State Park
- Camp Farnam
- Point Folly - White Memorial
- Windmill Hill - White Memorial
- Cozy Hill Campground
Fishing spots
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Seymour Reservoir Number 4
- Lake Quassapaug
- Reservoir Number 2
- Seymour Reservoir Number 2
Paddle runs
- 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
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
Track Hitchcock Lake Central Ave 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 Hitchcock Lake Central Ave Dam
Where does the data for Hitchcock Lake Central Ave 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 Hitchcock Lake Central Ave Dam.