Pistapaug Reservoir Dam
Pistapaug Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in New Haven County, Connecticut, built in 1941. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Pistapaug Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Pistapaug Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Town Of Wallingford (local government). It impounds the Farm River near North Branford.
The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 465 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 149 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1941, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/13/2024.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Connecticut dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Connecticut |
| County | New Haven |
| Nearest City | North Branford |
| River/Stream | Farm River |
| Coordinates | 41.42476, -72.74895 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Height | 8 ft |
| Dam Length | 465 ft |
| Year Completed | 1941 (85 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,560 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 149 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 400 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Wallingford |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/13/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00034 |
| Federal ID | CT00034 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |