Whiting River Flood Control Dam dam
Whiting River Flood Control Dam
The Whiting River Flood Control Dam, also known as Blackberry Site #15, is a state-owned structure in North Canaan, Connecticut, designed by the USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks along the Whiting River. Completed in 1968, this earth dam stands at 80 feet tall and spans 580 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 5,000 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, serving the community by protecting against potential damage caused by heavy rainfall and rising river levels.
Located in Litchfield County, the Whiting River Flood Control Dam is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and receives regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness. With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, this dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential flooding events. Despite not being rated for condition assessment, the dam remains a key asset in the state's water resource management infrastructure, providing essential flood protection measures for the community.
As a vital component of flood control measures in the region, the Whiting River Flood Control Dam serves as a critical structure in reducing flood risks and protecting the environment and residents of North Canaan. With its uncontrolled spillway and earth dam design, this dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between state and federal agencies, highlighting the importance of proactive water resource management in mitigating natural disasters and ensuring the safety and well-being of the local population.
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 Whiting River Flood Control Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Housatonic River Nr Ashley Falls | 609 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Falls Village | 774 cfs | → |
| West Branch Farmington River Near New Boston | 68 cfs | → |
| Salmon Creek At Lime Rock | 38 cfs | → |
| Still River At Robertsville | 83 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Great Barrington | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whiting River Flood Control Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Laurel Ridge Campsite
- Belter's Campsites
- Race Brook Campsites
- Sage's Ravine Campground
- Ball Brook Group Camping Area
- Beartown State Forest
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- 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
- The Confluence With The Nepaug River To A Point 0.2 Miles Below The Lower Collinsville Dam Tailrace
Track Whiting River Flood Control 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 Whiting River Flood Control Dam
Where does the data for Whiting River Flood Control 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 Whiting River Flood Control Dam.