Lockwood Lake Dam dam
Lockwood Lake Dam
Lockwood Lake Dam, located in Clinton, Connecticut, is a private dam primarily used for recreational purposes. Built in 1973, this concrete structure stands at 13 feet high and spans a length of 70 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. Situated on the Menunketesuck River, the dam plays a significant role in managing the water resources of the area, with a maximum discharge capacity of 275 cubic feet per second.
Despite being privately owned, Lockwood Lake Dam is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), ensuring that it meets safety standards and undergoes regular inspections. The dam holds a significant hazard potential due to its location and size, but as of the most recent assessment in 2019, its condition was deemed satisfactory. While there are no associated structures or locks, the dam features a spillway with a width of 15 feet to manage overflow during high water events.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the role that Lockwood Lake Dam plays in providing recreational opportunities while also serving as a crucial infrastructure for water management in the region. The dam's location on the Menunketesuck River and its design highlight the importance of sustainable dam operations and maintenance to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the preservation of the local ecosystem. With its history dating back to the 1970s and ongoing regulatory oversight, Lockwood Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the vital intersection between human development and environmental stewardship in managing water resources effectively.
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 Lockwood Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Indian River Near Clinton | 7 cfs | → |
| East Branch Eightmile River Near North Lyme | 27 cfs | → |
| Eightmile R At North Plain | 22 cfs | → |
| Connecticut R At Middle Haddam | 25,200 cfs | → |
| Salmon River Near East Hampton | 110 cfs | → |
| Coginchaug River At Middlefield | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lockwood Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Cedar Lake
- East River State Boat Launch
- Main Street Essex
- Kirtland Street Deep River
- Hadlyme Ferry (Connecticut River)
- Shore Road Old Lyme
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
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
Track Lockwood Lake 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 Lockwood Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lockwood Lake 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 Lockwood Lake Dam.