Shepaug Reservoir Dam dam
Shepaug Reservoir Dam
Shepaug Reservoir Dam, also known as Lower Shepaug Reservoir, is a concrete dam located in Woodville, Connecticut. Built in 1933, this dam serves as a vital water supply infrastructure for the region, with a storage capacity of 2937 acre-feet and a surface area of 112 acres. The dam stands at a height of 65 feet and stretches 500 feet in length, harnessing the waters of the Shepaug River to meet the community's water needs.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Shepaug Reservoir Dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in satisfactory condition. With a spillway width of 73 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 18,725 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and ensuring water supply stability. Despite its age, the dam has undergone regular inspections and maintenance to uphold its structural integrity and operational effectiveness.
Located in Litchfield County, Shepaug Reservoir Dam is a key component of Connecticut's water resource infrastructure, providing essential services for the surrounding communities. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the maintenance and management of dams like Shepaug are essential for safeguarding water resources and adapting to evolving climate conditions. With a moderate risk assessment rating and a history of satisfactory performance, Shepaug Reservoir Dam stands as a testament to the importance of resilient water infrastructure in the face of changing environmental challenges.
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 Shepaug Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shepaug River At Peters Dam At Woodville | 22 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Gaylordsville | 953 cfs | → |
| Nonewaug River At Minortown | 5 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Thomaston | 72 cfs | → |
| Weekeepeemee River At Hotchkissville | 12 cfs | → |
| Tenmile River Near Gaylordsville | 170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shepaug Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- South Kent Road Kent
- Grove Street 251, New Milford
- Lake Plymouth Boulevard 191, Plymouth
- Burr Pond
- Winchester Lake
- Lake Lillinonah
Campgrounds
- Cozy Hill Campground
- Point Folly - White Memorial
- Windmill Hill - White Memorial
- Lake Waramaug State Park
- Sr1
- Sr2
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 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
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Lower Collinsville Dam To The Route 187 Bridge
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
Track Shepaug 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 Shepaug Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Shepaug 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 Shepaug Reservoir Dam.