Timber Lake Dam dam
Timber Lake Dam
Timber Lake Dam in Sherman, Connecticut, is a privately owned structure built in 1957 primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 14 feet and a length of 200 feet, this earth dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 11.9 acres. Situated on the Quaker Brook, it plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem, providing water storage and flood control for the surrounding area.
Despite being privately owned, Timber Lake Dam falls under state jurisdiction and is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The dam's hazard potential is deemed significant, with a moderate risk assessment rating. Although the condition of the dam has not been formally rated, regular inspections are carried out every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 28 feet, helps manage water flow during times of high discharge, further highlighting its importance in managing water resources in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Timber Lake Dam serves as a fascinating case study in the intersection of human intervention and natural resource management. Its presence not only facilitates recreational activities but also plays a vital role in maintaining water quality, ecosystem health, and flood protection in the Fairfield County area. As efforts to address climate change and water scarcity intensify, sustainable management of dams like Timber Lake will be essential for ensuring the long-term resilience of our water resources and ecosystems.
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 Timber Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Branch Croton River Near Putnam Lake Ny | 49 cfs | → |
| Still River At Route 7 At Brookfield Center | 55 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Gaylordsville | 1,420 cfs | → |
| Tenmile River Near Gaylordsville | 274 cfs | → |
| Horse Pound Brook Near Lake Carmel Ny | 3 cfs | → |
| East Branch Croton River At Brewster Ny | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Timber Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Squantz Pond
- Old Bogus Road 4, New Fairfield
- Grove Street 251, New Milford
- Candlewood Lake (Lattins Cove)
- Danbury Boat Launch
- Lake Lillinonah
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- 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
Track Timber Lake 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 Timber Lake Dam
Where does the data for Timber Lake 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 Timber Lake Dam.