Hansens Pond Dam dam
Hansens Pond Dam
Hansens Pond Dam, located in Mansfield, Connecticut, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1935 for the primary purpose of recreation. Situated on Chickery Hill Brook, this dam stands at a height of 8 feet and has a length of 220 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 294 acre-feet. With a surface area of 42 acres and a drainage area of 1.21 square miles, this dam provides a serene setting for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
Despite its recreational appeal, Hansens Pond Dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential. Although it has not been rated for its condition assessment, the dam has been inspected periodically, with the last inspection in May 2006. The dam is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), with state jurisdiction for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. While there are no associated structures or outlet gates, the dam does have a spillway width of 12 feet to manage water flow during high-water events.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Hansens Pond Dam offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. As a recreational dam in Tolland County, it serves as a vital water source for local wildlife while providing a tranquil environment for outdoor enthusiasts. With a focus on safety and regulatory compliance, the management of Hansens Pond Dam highlights the importance of balancing environmental conservation with public enjoyment of water resources in Connecticut.
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 Hansens Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Hope River Near Warrenville | 40 cfs | → |
| Willimantic River Near Coventry | 160 cfs | → |
| Natchaug River At Willimantic | 231 cfs | → |
| Shetucket River Near Willimantic | 504 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Hanover | 29 cfs | → |
| Little River At Harrisville | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hansens Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Mansfield Hollow Dam
- Pine Acres Lake
- Beaver Brook Pond
- Coventry Lake
- Jerusalem Road South Windham
- Mono Pond
Campgrounds
- Brialee
- Wilderness Lake Campground
- Highland Campground
- Beech Grove 5
- Laurel Lock Camp
- Dyer Woods Nudist 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
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
Track Hansens 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 Hansens Pond Dam
Where does the data for Hansens 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 Significant 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 Hansens Pond Dam.