Willimantic Reservoir Dam dam
Willimantic Reservoir Dam
The Willimantic Reservoir Dam, located in Willimantic, Connecticut, is a key structure managed by the local government for water supply purposes. Constructed in 1885, this concrete dam stands at a height of 29 feet and has a length of 491.3 feet. The reservoir has a maximum storage capacity of 1670 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 750 acre-feet, serving the surrounding area for water needs.
The dam, situated on the Natchaug River, is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. With a high hazard potential but deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2019, the Willimantic Reservoir Dam plays a critical role in water resource management in the region. Its location in Windham County, under the oversight of local authorities and state agencies, highlights the collaborative efforts to safeguard this vital infrastructure.
This historic dam not only provides crucial water storage but also contributes to flood control and water resource management in the area. With a spillway width of 280 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 38,125 cubic feet per second, the Willimantic Reservoir Dam is a significant piece of infrastructure that ensures water security for the community while adhering to state regulatory standards. As climate change impacts water resources, the maintenance and oversight of structures like the Willimantic Reservoir Dam become increasingly important in ensuring resilience against 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 Willimantic Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Natchaug River At Willimantic | 231 cfs | → |
| Shetucket River Near Willimantic | 504 cfs | → |
| Willimantic River Near Coventry | 160 cfs | → |
| Mount Hope River Near Warrenville | 40 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Hanover | 29 cfs | → |
| Yantic River At Yantic | 78 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willimantic Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Mansfield Hollow Dam
- Beaver Brook Pond
- Coventry Lake
- Pine Acres Lake
- Jerusalem Road South Windham
- Mono Pond
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
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
- 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
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
Track Willimantic 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 Willimantic Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Willimantic 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 Willimantic Reservoir Dam.