Cold Spring Flood Control Site #9 Dam Dam
Cold Spring Flood Control Site #9 Dam
Cold Spring Flood Control Site #9 Dam, also known as North Branch Park River Site 9, is a state-owned dam located in West Hartford, Connecticut. Built in 1968 by designer Anderson_Nichols, this earth dam stands 20 feet tall and spans 1040 feet along the Tumble Brook. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a storage capacity of 1760 acre-feet and a surface area of 137 acres.
Managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2015 was deemed satisfactory. While having an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam's risk assessment is moderate, with a risk management plan yet to be detailed. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and inundation maps readiness are currently unknown, reflecting potential areas for improvement in emergency preparedness.
Located in the New England District, Cold Spring Flood Control Site #9 Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the area. With its strategic position along Tumble Brook, the dam serves as a critical infrastructure for flood control efforts in Hartford County. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the functionality and condition of such dams is essential for ensuring the safety and resilience of communities in the face of changing weather patterns and increasing flood risks.
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 Cold Spring Flood Control Site #9 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Park R At Hartford | 4 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Tariffville | 263 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Unionville | 143 cfs | → |
| Hockanum River Near East Hartford | 46 cfs | → |
| Stony Brook Near West Suffield | 1 cfs | → |
| Burlington Brook Near Burlington | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cold Spring Flood Control Site #9 Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Cold Spring Flood Control Site #9 Dam
Where does the data for Cold Spring Flood Control Site #9 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 below 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.
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.