Versailles Pond Dam dam
Versailles Pond Dam
Versailles Pond Dam, located in VERSAILLES, Connecticut, is a vital structure maintained by the local government for water supply purposes. Completed in 1920, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 14.3 feet with a length of 400 feet, offering a storage capacity of 1000 acre-feet. The dam plays a crucial role in managing the LITTLE RIVER's flow, with a drainage area of 43.6 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 13,000 cubic feet per second.
Despite its age, Versailles Pond Dam has a satisfactory condition assessment and a significant hazard potential, indicating the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam's spillway width of 184 feet ensures efficient water release during periods of excess flow to prevent overtopping and potential flooding downstream. The dam's normal storage capacity of 340 acre-feet serves as a reliable water source for the surrounding community, making it a critical asset for both water supply and flood control efforts in the area.
In the event of an emergency, it is crucial for the authorities to have a well-prepared Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place to ensure timely response and communication. Regular inspections are conducted every 5 years to assess the dam's integrity and identify any potential risks. With its strategic location and role in water resource management, Versailles Pond Dam remains a key infrastructure supporting sustainable water supply and climate resilience efforts in New London County, Connecticut.
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 Versailles Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shetucket River At Taftville | 1,350 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug River At Jewett City | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Hanover | 50 cfs | → |
| Yantic River At Yantic | 146 cfs | → |
| Shetucket River Near Willimantic | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Natchaug River At Willimantic | 621 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Versailles Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Butts Bridge Road Canterbury
- Jerusalem Road South Windham
- Jeffrey Lane Griswold
- Amos Lake
- Lovell Lane 50, Canterbury
- Glasgo Pond State Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Highland Campground
- Laurel Lock Camp
- Mystic Koa Holiday
- Youth Site 1
- Youth Site 2
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 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 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
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Versailles Pond 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 Versailles Pond Dam
Where does the data for Versailles Pond 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 Versailles Pond Dam.