Blue Lake Dam dam
Blue Lake Dam
Blue Lake Dam, also known as Anderson Pond, is nestled in North Stonington, Connecticut, along the serene Ashwillet Brook. Completed in 1900, this earthen dam stands at 10 feet high and stretches 135 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 243 acre-feet for recreational purposes. The dam's spillway, which is uncontrolled and 50 feet wide, can handle a maximum discharge of 146 cubic feet per second, ensuring water safety and management in the area.
Managed by a private entity, Blue Lake Dam is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with safety standards. The dam's condition has been assessed as satisfactory, with a significant hazard potential due to its location and storage capacity. Despite the moderate risk level assigned, the dam remains a popular spot for recreation enthusiasts seeking a peaceful escape in the picturesque surroundings of New London County.
With a surface area of 54.3 acres and a drainage area of 1.52 square miles, Blue Lake Dam offers a tranquil oasis for locals and visitors alike. Its historical significance, coupled with its modern-day recreational purpose, makes it a valuable asset in the water resource and climate conservation landscape of Connecticut. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the responsible management and maintenance of dams like Blue Lake Dam will be crucial in ensuring sustainable water use and environmental protection for future generations.
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 Blue Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pendleton Hill Brook Near Clarks Falls | 4 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug River At Jewett City | 918 cfs | → |
| Shetucket River At Taftville | 755 cfs | → |
| Wood River At Hope Valley | 82 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River At Westerly | 302 cfs | → |
| Wood River Near Arcadia | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Mystic Koa Holiday
- 315 - Burlingham
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- Highland Campground
- Laurel Lock Camp
- Camp Hoffman
Fishing spots
Track Blue 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 Blue Lake Dam
Where does the data for Blue 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 Blue Lake Dam.