Thurston Pond Dam dam
Thurston Pond Dam
Thurston Pond Dam, located in Naugatuck, Connecticut, is a privately owned structure that has been serving as a recreational area since its completion in 1890. With a dam height of 20 feet and a length of 510 feet, this earth dam holds a storage capacity of 45 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 29 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the Naugatuck River Tributary and covers a surface area of 3.7 acres, making it a picturesque spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Despite its age, Thurston Pond Dam has been maintained in satisfactory condition, with regular inspections conducted to ensure its structural integrity. The dam is classified as having a high hazard potential due to its location and storage capacity, but it is deemed to be at moderate risk according to a risk assessment. The spillway of the dam is uncontrolled, with a width of 122 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 2400 cubic feet per second in case of high water levels. This combination of factors makes Thurston Pond Dam an important and intriguing site for those interested in water resource management and climate impact mitigation.
The dam is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and falls under state jurisdiction for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With its historical significance and potential risks, Thurston Pond Dam serves as a focal point for monitoring and managing water resources in the region. Its presence along the Naugatuck River Tributary adds to the diverse landscape of water infrastructure in New Haven County, making it a notable location for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and study.
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 Thurston Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Naugatuck River At Beacon Falls | 814 cfs | → |
| Pomperaug River At Southbury | 121 cfs | → |
| Nonewaug River At Minortown | 19 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Stevenson | 495 cfs | → |
| Weekeepeemee River At Hotchkissville | 33 cfs | → |
| Mill R Nr Hamden | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thurston Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Zoar
- Main Street Hamden
- Lake Housatonic
- Lake Plymouth Boulevard 191, Plymouth
- Sackett Point Road North Haven
- Lake Lillinonah (Pond Brook)
Fishing spots
- Seymour Reservoir Number 4
- Reservoir Number 2
- Seymour Reservoir Number 2
- Reservoir Number 1
- Seymour Reservoir Number 1
- Carrington Pond
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 Thurston Pond 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 Thurston Pond Dam
Where does the data for Thurston Pond 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 Thurston Pond Dam.