Lake Phipps Dam #1 dam
Lake Phipps Dam #1
Lake Phipps Dam #1 in Connecticut, also known as Lake Phipps, is a historic masonry dam completed in 1880 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at a height of 29 feet and spans a length of 345 feet, creating a storage capacity of 320 acre-feet with a normal storage level of 245 acre-feet. Situated on Cove River in New Haven County, the dam has a surface area of 24.5 acres and serves as a popular recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the area.
Managed by the local government, Lake Phipps Dam #1 is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in May 2020 deemed it satisfactory, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain and monitor its structural integrity. The dam is associated with two other structures and is subject to regular inspections every two years to uphold its safety standards.
With its picturesque location and historical significance, Lake Phipps Dam #1 offers a unique blend of recreational opportunities and natural beauty for visitors to enjoy. As a vital part of the local water resource infrastructure, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices and climate resilience in safeguarding our environment for future generations. Enthusiasts can explore the area's rich ecosystem, engage in water-based activities, and appreciate the engineering marvel that is Lake Phipps Dam #1 while staying informed about its maintenance and regulatory processes.
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 Lake Phipps Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill R Nr Hamden | 19 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Beacon Falls | 231 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Stevenson | 434 cfs | → |
| Quinnipiac River At Wallingford | 98 cfs | → |
| Rooster River At Fairfield | 4 cfs | → |
| Mill R Nr Fairfield | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Phipps Dam #1.
Boat launches
- April Street 3, West Haven
- Park Drive New Haven
- Quinnipiac River Front St Boat Ramp
- Shipyard Lane Milford
- Main Street Hamden
- Hosley Avenue Branford
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
- 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
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
Track Lake Phipps Dam #1 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 Lake Phipps Dam #1
Where does the data for Lake Phipps Dam #1 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 Lake Phipps Dam #1.