Laurel Reservoir Dam dam
Laurel Reservoir Dam
Laurel Reservoir Dam, located in North Stamford, Connecticut, is a concrete dam completed in 1923 for the primary purpose of water supply. With a height of 50 feet and a length of 1850 feet, the dam holds a normal storage capacity of 11,000 acre-feet, serving the surrounding area's water needs. Situated on the Rippowam River, the reservoir covers a surface area of 265 acres and has a drainage area of 13.4 square miles.
Maintained by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Laurel Reservoir Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state agency to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam has a high hazard potential due to its location and purpose, but as of the last assessment in June 2019, its condition was deemed satisfactory. In case of emergencies, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is in place, and the dam has regular inspections every two years to ensure compliance with safety guidelines.
With its historical significance and critical role in water supply management, Laurel Reservoir Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable infrastructure in preserving water resources and adapting to changing climate conditions. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of human development and environmental stewardship in safeguarding our natural ecosystems for future generations.
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 Laurel Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fivemile River Near New Canaan | 0 cfs | → |
| Norwalk R At South Wilton | 10 cfs | → |
| Rippowam River At Stamford | 7 cfs | → |
| Cross River Near Cross River Ny | 8 cfs | → |
| Cross River At Katonah Ny | 12 cfs | → |
| Saugatuck R Nr Westport | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Laurel Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Maple Way 10, Town Of North Castle
- Saugatuck River
- Seagate Road 3, Greenwich
- Roosevelt Road Westport
- Hillspoint Road Westport
- Lake Kenosia
Campgrounds
- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
- Mountain Lakes Park
- Youth Camp Ii
- Youth Camp Iii
- Youth Camp I
- Croton Point Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Lower Collinsville Dam To The Route 187 Bridge
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
Track Laurel 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 Laurel Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Laurel 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 Laurel Reservoir Dam.