Rainbow Reservoir Dam dam
Rainbow Reservoir Dam
The Rainbow Reservoir Dam, located in Windsor, Connecticut, is a captivating structure that serves as a vital source of hydroelectric power. Completed in 1925, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 42.8 feet and boasts a storage capacity of 9,400 acre-feet, making it a significant asset for water resource management in the area. The dam is situated on the Farmington River and covers a surface area of 234.5 acres, with a maximum discharge capacity of 101,000 cubic feet per second.
Managed by a public utility, the Rainbow Reservoir Dam is closely regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2019 reported it as satisfactory, ensuring that it continues to operate safely and effectively. With a history of successful inspections and regular maintenance, the dam plays a crucial role in water storage, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation for the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Rainbow Reservoir Dam represents a harmonious blend of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship. Its presence on the Farmington River not only contributes to the local ecosystem but also provides clean, renewable energy through hydroelectric power generation. As a key player in Connecticut's water infrastructure, the Rainbow Reservoir Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate 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 Rainbow Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook Near West Suffield | 4 cfs | → |
| Farmington River At Tariffville | 410 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Thompsonville | 17,100 cfs | → |
| Broad Brook At Broad Brook | 18 cfs | → |
| North Branch Park R At Hartford | 11 cfs | → |
| Hockanum River Near East Hartford | 91 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rainbow Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Rainbow Reservoir
- Kings Island (Connecticut River)
- Bissell Bridge (Connecticut River)
- Riverside Road Simsbury
- East River Drive East Hartford
- New State Road Trail Manchester
Campgrounds
- Primitve Camping Area
- Beech Grove 5
- Roaring Brook Camp Area
- Deep Campsite
- James Stocking Youth Group Camping Area
- Haws Memorial - American Legion State Forest
Fishing spots
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Lake Quassapaug
- Seymour Reservoir Number 4
- Reservoir Number 2
- Seymour Reservoir Number 2
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
- The Confluence With The Nepaug River To A Point 0.2 Miles Below The Lower Collinsville Dam Tailrace
Track Rainbow Reservoir 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 Rainbow Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Rainbow Reservoir 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 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 Rainbow Reservoir Dam.