Twin Lakes Dam Dam
Twin Lakes Dam
Twin Lakes Dam, located in the picturesque city of Taconic, Connecticut, stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience. Built in 1900, this concrete dam serves the primary purpose of recreation, offering a serene retreat for locals and visitors alike. With a height of 20 feet and a storage capacity of 9,293 acre-feet, the dam spans 100 feet and covers a surface area of 855 acres.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Twin Lakes Dam holds significant hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections every 7 years. Despite not being rated for its current condition, the dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding and ensuring the sustainability of the Schenob Brook watershed. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the management and maintenance of structures like Twin Lakes Dam become increasingly important in safeguarding communities and ecosystems.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the beauty of Twin Lakes Dam and its surrounding area, they are reminded of the delicate balance between human intervention and natural processes. With its rich history and ongoing significance in the region, Twin Lakes Dam stands as a symbol of resilience and adaptation in the face of evolving environmental challenges. Whether enjoying recreational activities on its waters or studying its engineering marvels, visitors can appreciate the vital role that this dam plays in sustaining the local environment and community for generations to come.
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 Twin Lakes Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Housatonic River Nr Ashley Falls | 208 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Falls Village | 255 cfs | → |
| Salmon Creek At Lime Rock | 9 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Great Barrington | 14 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River Near Great Barrington | 142 cfs | → |
| West Branch Farmington River Near New Boston | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Twin Lakes 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 Twin Lakes Dam
Where does the data for Twin Lakes 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 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.