Forest Lake Dam dam
Forest Lake Dam
Forest Lake Dam, located in New Fairfield, Connecticut, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreation purposes. Built in 1930, this masonry dam stands at a height of 14 feet and has a length of 53 feet, providing a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet. Situated on Bates Brook, the dam's significant hazard potential underscores the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Forest Lake Dam is regulated by the state and subject to permitting, inspection, and enforcement measures. Despite being classified as "not rated" in terms of condition assessment, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status remains unclear, raising questions about its readiness for potential risks and emergencies. With a drainage area of 0.19 square miles and a maximum discharge of 3 cubic feet per second, the dam's importance in safeguarding the surrounding environment and community cannot be understated.
As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Forest Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the critical role that infrastructure plays in balancing recreational needs with public safety and environmental stewardship. Its location within Fairfield County and proximity to New Fairfield underscores the interconnectedness of water resources management and the need for proactive risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the long-term sustainability of the dam and its surrounding ecosystem.
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 Forest Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Still River At Route 7 At Brookfield Center | 114 cfs | → |
| East Branch Croton River Near Putnam Lake Ny | 88 cfs | → |
| East Branch Croton River At Brewster Ny | 54 cfs | → |
| Horse Pound Brook Near Lake Carmel Ny | 2 cfs | → |
| East Branch Croton River Near Croton Falls Ny | 44 cfs | → |
| Pootatuck R At Sandy Hook | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forest Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Forest Lake Dam
Where does the data for Forest 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 below 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.
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.