Bird Pond Dam Dam
Bird Pond Dam
Bird Pond Dam, located in Bethlehem, Connecticut, is a private dam regulated by the state and owned for recreational purposes. The dam, with a height of 9 feet and a length of 110 feet, creates a surface area of 5.5 acres and serves as a picturesque spot for birdwatching and other outdoor activities. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition is assessed as fair, with the last inspection conducted in October 2020.
Sitting on the Weekeepeemee River Tributary, Bird Pond Dam is monitored and regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). With a spillway width of 12 feet, the dam poses a risk that is managed through regular inspections and emergency action plans. Although the exact year of completion is unknown, the dam continues to provide recreational opportunities and serves as a habitat for various bird species in the Litchfield County area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Bird Pond Dam for its role in creating a diverse ecosystem and providing a tranquil setting for outdoor recreation. While the dam's condition is considered fair and it has a significant hazard potential, its management by state agencies ensures public safety and environmental protection. As a privately owned structure with state oversight, Bird Pond Dam stands as a testament to the balance between human activity and natural conservation in the region.
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 Bird Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nonewaug River At Minortown | 4 cfs | → |
| Weekeepeemee River At Hotchkissville | 7 cfs | → |
| Shepaug River At Peters Dam At Woodville | 20 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Thomaston | 22 cfs | → |
| Pomperaug River At Southbury | 28 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Gaylordsville | 384 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bird Pond 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 Bird Pond Dam
Where does the data for Bird 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 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.