Tower Hill Lake Dam dam
Tower Hill Lake Dam
Tower Hill Lake Dam, located in Deep River, Connecticut, stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering excellence. Completed in 1920, this masonry dam not only serves as a recreational hotspot but also plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area. With a height of 20 feet and a storage capacity of 285 acre-feet, the dam regulates the flow of the Falls River Tributary, covering a surface area of 30 acres.
Managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Tower Hill Lake Dam is subject to regular state inspections, ensuring its structural integrity and safety. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's purpose extends beyond recreation to include flood control and water supply management. While its condition assessment remains unrated, the dam continues to be a vital component of the local ecosystem and a point of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
With a spillway width of 15 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 258 cubic feet per second, Tower Hill Lake Dam exemplifies a harmonious blend of historical significance and modern functionality. As efforts to monitor and manage the dam persist, its role in sustaining the surrounding environment and providing recreational opportunities remains paramount. As a symbol of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship, Tower Hill Lake Dam stands tall as a vital component of Connecticut's water resource infrastructure.
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 Tower Hill Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Indian River Near Clinton | 6 cfs | → |
| East Branch Eightmile River Near North Lyme | 34 cfs | → |
| Eightmile R At North Plain | 25 cfs | → |
| Connecticut R At Middle Haddam | 47,100 cfs | → |
| Salmon River Near East Hampton | 130 cfs | → |
| Coginchaug River At Middlefield | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tower Hill Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Cedar Lake
- Kirtland Street Deep River
- Hadlyme Ferry (Connecticut River)
- Main Street Essex
- Creamery Road East Haddam
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 Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- 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
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
Track Tower Hill 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 Tower Hill Lake Dam
Where does the data for Tower Hill 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 Low 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 Tower Hill Lake Dam.