Shepaug dam
Shepaug
Shepaug is a captivating hydroelectric dam located in Berkshire Estates, Connecticut, along the picturesque Housatonic River. Built in 1955, this concrete gravity dam stands at 138 feet tall and stretches 1412 feet in length, boasting a storage capacity of 72,700 acre-feet and a normal storage of 66,700 acre-feet. With a maximum discharge capacity of 162,000 cubic feet per second, Shepaug plays a crucial role in generating hydroelectric power while also providing recreational opportunities for the surrounding community.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Shepaug is classified as having a high hazard potential due to its structural characteristics and location. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 293 feet and is equipped with five Tainter radial gates for efficient water management. Despite its age, Shepaug's condition assessment is marked as "Not Available," underscoring the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued safe operation. Additionally, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) has been prepared and last revised in January 2021 to address potential risks and ensure swift response in case of emergencies.
With a risk assessment rating of "Very High (1)," Shepaug serves as a vital water resource and energy infrastructure in the region, highlighting the intricate balance between harnessing the power of water for electricity generation and safeguarding against potential risks to the environment and surrounding communities. As a beloved landmark in New Haven County, Connecticut, Shepaug stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing the forces of nature while also underscoring the need for vigilant monitoring and proactive risk management in the face of climate variability and changing environmental conditions.
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 Shepaug -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pootatuck R At Sandy Hook | 18 cfs | → |
| Pomperaug River At Southbury | 51 cfs | → |
| Still River At Route 7 At Brookfield Center | 40 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Stevenson | 441 cfs | → |
| Weekeepeemee River At Hotchkissville | 14 cfs | → |
| Nonewaug River At Minortown | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shepaug .
Boat launches
- Lake Lillinonah (Pond Brook)
- Lake Zoar
- Lake Lillinonah
- Candlewood Lake (Lattins Cove)
- Danbury Boat Launch
- Grove Street 251, New Milford
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Lower Collinsville Dam To The Route 187 Bridge
- The Confluence With The Nepaug River To A Point 0.2 Miles Below The Lower Collinsville Dam Tailrace
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
Track Shepaug 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 Shepaug
Where does the data for Shepaug 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 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 Shepaug .