Dennis Pond Dam dam
Dennis Pond Dam
Dennis Pond Dam, located in Stafford, Connecticut, is a local government-owned structure that serves as a recreational destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam, completed in 1880, stands at a height of 14 feet and has a length of 274 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the earth-type dam is for recreation, offering opportunities for activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking in the scenic surroundings of Baker Brook Tributary.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Dennis Pond Dam poses a significant hazard potential and has been assessed to be in fair condition as of June 2017. The dam is regulated and permitted by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), with regular inspections mandated to ensure its safety and structural integrity. While there are no associated federal agencies or funding sources for the dam, its operation and management fall under the jurisdiction of the local government, highlighting the importance of local stewardship in safeguarding water resources and maintaining public safety.
As a key feature in the Tolland County landscape, Dennis Pond Dam plays a vital role in both water management and recreational enjoyment for the community. With its close proximity to the Baker Brook Tributary and a surface area of 10.1 acres, the dam provides not only a picturesque setting for outdoor activities but also a reminder of the need for proactive risk management measures to address the potential hazards associated with dam infrastructure. As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to appreciate the beauty and functionality of Dennis Pond Dam, ongoing efforts to monitor and maintain its condition will be essential in preserving its role as a valuable asset for the local area.
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 Dennis Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Hope River Near Warrenville | 40 cfs | → |
| Broad Brook At Broad Brook | 22 cfs | → |
| Willimantic River Near Coventry | 160 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug R Bl E Brimfield Dam At Fiskdale | 102 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug R Bl Westville Dam Nr Southbridge | 159 cfs | → |
| Connecticut River At Thompsonville | 18,900 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dennis Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Wilbur Cross Highway Union
- Bigelow Pond
- Bolton Lake (Lower)
- Coventry Lake
- Mansfield Hollow Dam
- Clark Road Extension 303, Sturbridge
Campgrounds
- Wilderness Lake Campground
- Brialee
- Beech Grove 5
- Westover Arb Military
- Highland Campground
- Primitve Camping Area
Fishing spots
- Trout Hatchery
- Lake Washington Fishing Area
- Baker Cove
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Twotree Island Channel
- Mumford Cove
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
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- 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
Track Dennis 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 Dennis Pond Dam
Where does the data for Dennis 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 Dennis Pond Dam.