Mackenzie Reservoir Dam
Mackenzie Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in New Haven County, Connecticut, built in 1944. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Mackenzie Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Mackenzie 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 Muddy River near North Branford.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 425 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 60 acres, has a storage capacity of 1,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1944, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. 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 | Muddy River |
| Coordinates | 41.43680, -72.77843 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Length | 425 ft |
| Year Completed | 1944 (82 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,100 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 60 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,300 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Wallingford |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/13/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00037 |
| Federal ID | CT00037 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |