Waterbury Reservoir No. 2 Dam Dam
Waterbury Reservoir No. 2 Dam
Waterbury Reservoir No. 2 Dam, located in East Farms, Connecticut, serves as a vital water resource for recreational purposes along Turkey Hill Brook. Built in 1880, this masonry dam stands at a height of 22 feet and spans 230 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 321 acre-feet and a surface area of 26 acres. The dam's primary purpose is recreation, offering a scenic environment for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
With a high hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of November 2020, the Waterbury Reservoir No. 2 Dam is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and undergoes regular inspections every two years. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 13 feet and is equipped with valve outlet gates for water release. In the event of an emergency, the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) ensures preparedness and response guidelines are in place to protect downstream areas from potential flooding risks.
Despite its moderate risk assessment level, the Waterbury Reservoir No. 2 Dam remains a well-maintained structure that contributes to the local ecosystem and provides a valuable recreational space for residents and visitors alike. Its historical significance and functional design make it a noteworthy landmark within the New Haven County community, emphasizing the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in preserving natural landscapes for future generations to enjoy.
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 Waterbury Reservoir No. 2 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Naugatuck River At Beacon Falls | 460 cfs | → |
| Quinnipiac River At Southington | 19 cfs | → |
| Mill R Nr Hamden | 85 cfs | → |
| Quinnipiac River At Wallingford | 525 cfs | → |
| Nonewaug River At Minortown | 28 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Thomaston | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waterbury Reservoir No. 2 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 Waterbury Reservoir No. 2 Dam
Where does the data for Waterbury Reservoir No. 2 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.