Scovill Reservoir Dam dam
Scovill Reservoir Dam
Scovill Reservoir Dam, also known as Scovill Aka Woodtick Reservoir, is a masonry dam located in the picturesque city of Wolcott, Waterbury, in Connecticut. Completed in 1917, this historic structure serves primarily for recreation purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 1300 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1800 acre-feet. Situated on the Mad River, the dam stands at a height of 32 feet and stretches 280 feet in length, creating a surface area of 138 acres for water enthusiasts to enjoy.
Managed by local government authorities and regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Scovill Reservoir Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its design and location. Despite this, the dam's condition was assessed as satisfactory during the last inspection in December 2019, with a regular inspection frequency of every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) was last reviewed in August 2014, indicating a commitment to preparedness and risk management for potential emergencies.
With its rich history, scenic location, and vital role in providing recreational opportunities to the community, Scovill Reservoir Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience. As a significant landmark in New Haven County, Connecticut, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between harnessing the power of water for human benefit and ensuring the safety and well-being of local residents and visitors alike.
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 Scovill Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac River At Southington | 33 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Thomaston | 222 cfs | → |
| Nonewaug River At Minortown | 19 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Beacon Falls | 657 cfs | → |
| Quinnipiac River At Wallingford | 297 cfs | → |
| Mill R Nr Hamden | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scovill Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Plymouth Boulevard 191, Plymouth
- Silver Lake
- North Farms Reservoir
- Black Pond
- Batterson Park Pond
- Beseck Lake
Campgrounds
- Black Rock State Park
- Point Folly - White Memorial
- Windmill Hill - White Memorial
- Kettletown State Park
- Cozy Hill Campground
- Sr1
Fishing spots
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Lake Quassapaug
- Seymour Reservoir Number 4
- Reservoir Number 2
- Seymour Reservoir Number 2
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Lower Collinsville Dam To The Route 187 Bridge
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- 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
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
Track Scovill 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 Scovill Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Scovill 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 Scovill Reservoir Dam.