Ulbrich Reservoir Dam
Ulbrich Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in New Haven County, Connecticut, built in 1966. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Ulbrich Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Ulbrich 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 Spring Brook near Northford.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 2,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 159 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,090 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1966, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 | Northford |
| River/Stream | Spring Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.45805, -72.74076 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1966 (60 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,090 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,090 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,980 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 159 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,160 cfs |
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 | CT00038 |
| Federal ID | CT00038 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |