New Park Avenue Flood Prev. Levee Dam
New Park Avenue Flood Prev. Levee
The New Park Avenue Flood Prevention Levee in West Hartford, Connecticut is a critical piece of infrastructure designed to protect the local community from flooding. Owned by the local government and regulated by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), this earth dam stands at a height of 14 feet and spans a length of 2700 feet. With a drainage area of 20 square miles, this levee plays a crucial role in managing water flow and reducing the risk of inundation in the surrounding area.
Despite its high hazard potential, the New Park Avenue Flood Prevention Levee is in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in November 2019. With a regular inspection frequency of every two years, this structure is well-maintained and ready to respond to any potential emergencies. While details on its construction date and exact purpose are not provided, its presence as a flood prevention measure underscores the importance of proactive planning and investment in water resource management in the face of climate change and increasing extreme weather events.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the New Park Avenue Flood Prevention Levee serves as a tangible example of how infrastructure can help mitigate the impacts of a changing climate. By understanding the design, regulatory oversight, and condition of this levee, stakeholders can gain insights into the complexities of managing water resources in a dynamic environment. As threats of flooding continue to rise, investments in structures like the New Park Avenue Flood Prevention Levee play a critical role in enhancing the resilience of communities and safeguarding against the potential devastation of natural disasters.
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 New Park Avenue Flood Prev. Levee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Park R At Hartford | 8 cfs | → |
| Hockanum River Near East Hartford | 56 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Unionville | 156 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Tariffville | 263 cfs | → |
| Broad Brook At Broad Brook | 12 cfs | → |
| Burlington Brook Near Burlington | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near New Park Avenue Flood Prev. Levee.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About New Park Avenue Flood Prev. Levee
Where does the data for New Park Avenue Flood Prev. Levee 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.