Fairy Lake Dike dam
Fairy Lake Dike
Located in Salem, Connecticut, Fairy Lake Dike is a privately owned structure designed to regulate water levels and protect the surrounding area from potential flooding. Completed in 1957, this dam stands at a height of 10 feet and spans 300 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 780 acre-feet. With a spillway width of 12 feet and uncontrolled outlet gates, Fairy Lake Dike plays a crucial role in managing water flow and ensuring the safety of the community.
The dam's condition assessment in 2019 rated it as fair, with a significant hazard potential due to its location and purpose. While the risk assessment categorized it as moderate, efforts are in place to enhance emergency preparedness and response, although specific details on emergency action plans and risk management measures are currently unavailable. Joe Courtney, the Democratic representative for the New England District, oversees this structure, underscoring the importance of maintaining and monitoring Fairy Lake Dike to safeguard water resources and mitigate climate-related risks in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize Fairy Lake Dike's role in water management and flood control efforts in New London, Connecticut. By understanding its design, purpose, and maintenance challenges, we can appreciate the complex interplay between infrastructure, environmental risks, and community resilience. As we continue to advocate for sustainable water practices and climate adaptation strategies, keeping an eye on structures like Fairy Lake Dike will be crucial in ensuring the long-term safety and well-being of our communities.
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 Fairy Lake Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Eightmile R At North Plain | 17 cfs | → |
| East Branch Eightmile River Near North Lyme | 19 cfs | → |
| Yantic River At Yantic | 78 cfs | → |
| Salmon River Near East Hampton | 88 cfs | → |
| Shetucket River At Taftville | 631 cfs | → |
| Connecticut R At Middle Haddam | 32,600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fairy Lake Dike.
Boat launches
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 Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- 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 Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Fairy Lake Dike 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 Fairy Lake Dike
Where does the data for Fairy Lake Dike 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 Fairy Lake Dike.