Moodus Reservoir Dam dam
Moodus Reservoir Dam
Moodus Reservoir Dam, located in East Haddam, Connecticut, is a state-regulated earth dam built in 1882 primarily for recreation purposes. The dam stands at a height of 17.5 feet and has a length of 275 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 4,293 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 451 acres. The dam is situated on the Moodus River and is owned by the state, with regulatory oversight provided by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
With a significant hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, the Moodus Reservoir Dam presents a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in dam safety and management. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 2,182 cubic feet per second and a drainage area of 10.5 square miles, making it crucial to monitor its structural integrity and ensure proper maintenance. Despite not having an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) updated recently, the dam has emergency contacts in place and has undergone inspections with a frequency of 5 years.
For those intrigued by the historical significance and environmental impact of dam infrastructure, the Moodus Reservoir Dam serves as a prime example of how human-made structures can shape water resources and recreational opportunities in a region. The dam's association with the Moodus River and its role in providing recreational activities highlight the delicate balance between human intervention and natural ecosystems. As discussions around climate change and water management continue to evolve, understanding the complexities of dams like Moodus Reservoir Dam becomes vital in ensuring sustainable water resource management practices for the future.
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 Moodus Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon River Near East Hampton | 88 cfs | → |
| Connecticut R At Middle Haddam | 32,600 cfs | → |
| Eightmile R At North Plain | 17 cfs | → |
| East Branch Eightmile River Near North Lyme | 19 cfs | → |
| Coginchaug River At Middlefield | 15 cfs | → |
| Indian River Near Clinton | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moodus Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Mott Lane East Haddam
- Shore Road 30, East Haddam
- Pickerel Lake
- Bashan Lake
- Sunrise Road East Haddam
- Salmon River (Connecticut River)
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- 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
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Moodus Reservoir 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 Moodus Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Moodus 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 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 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 Moodus Reservoir Dam.