Upper Pond Dam, also known as Holbrook Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Lyme, Connecticut.
Wind
Humidity
Built in 1860, this masonry dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing a surface area of 13 acres and a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 12 feet and stretches 90 feet in length, controlling the flow of water from Joshua Creek.
Managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Upper Pond Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite being rated as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition is deemed satisfactory as of the last inspection in August 2018. The dam has a spillway width of 31 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 145 cubic feet per second.
With its historical significance dating back over a century, Upper Pond Dam stands as a testament to both the engineering marvels of the past and the ongoing efforts to maintain and safeguard water resources in the face of changing climate conditions. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate issues, the preservation and responsible management of structures like Upper Pond Dam serve as important examples of the intersection between human development and environmental stewardship in the modern era.
Year Completed |
1860 |
Dam Length |
90 |
Dam Height |
12 |
River Or Stream |
JOSHUA CREEK |
Primary Dam Type |
Masonry |
Surface Area |
13 |
Drainage Area |
2.09 |
Nid Storage |
54 |
Hazard Potential |
Significant |
Nid Height |
12 |
East Branch Eightmile River Near North Lyme
|
29cfs |
Eightmile R At North Plain
|
24cfs |
Indian River Near Clinton
|
6cfs |
Salmon River Near East Hampton
|
119cfs |
Connecticut R At Middle Haddam
|
14900cfs |
Yantic River At Yantic
|
147cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Youth Site 2
|
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Youth Site 1
|
||
Camp Bethel
|
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Laurel Lock Camp
|