Lake Gaillard Dam dam
Lake Gaillard Dam
Lake Gaillard Dam, located in North Branford, Connecticut, is a concrete structure completed in 1929 for the primary purpose of water supply. Standing at a height of 100 feet and stretching 1232 feet in length, this dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 53,500 acre-feet with a normal storage of 48,000 acre-feet. The dam regulates the flow of the Branford River and covers a surface area of 1110 acres, serving as a vital resource for the region.
Managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Lake Gaillard Dam is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a high hazard potential due to its size and location, the dam is classified as satisfactory in condition assessment. In the event of an emergency, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is in place but has not been updated recently, highlighting the importance of preparedness and risk management for this essential water resource infrastructure.
As a key component of the water supply system in New Haven County, Lake Gaillard Dam plays a crucial role in securing water resources for the surrounding communities. With its historic significance and strategic location, the dam represents a blend of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship in managing water resources amidst changing climate conditions. Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience would find Lake Gaillard Dam to be a captivating example of infrastructure that sustains both natural ecosystems and human needs.
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 Lake Gaillard Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac River At Wallingford | 94 cfs | → |
| Mill R Nr Hamden | 19 cfs | → |
| Indian River Near Clinton | 5 cfs | → |
| Coginchaug River At Middlefield | 18 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Beacon Falls | 224 cfs | → |
| Connecticut R At Middle Haddam | 43,500 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Gaillard Dam.
Boat launches
- Hosley Avenue Branford
- Branford River State Boat Launch
- Sackett Point Road North Haven
- Quinnipiac River Front St Boat Ramp
- East River State Boat Launch
- Park Drive New Haven
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
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
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
Track Lake Gaillard 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 Lake Gaillard Dam
Where does the data for Lake Gaillard 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 Lake Gaillard Dam.