John D. Milne Lake Dam
John D. Milne Lake Dam is a concrete dam located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, built in 1947. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About John D. Milne Lake Dam
The primary purpose of John D. Milne Lake 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 City Of Norwalk (local government). It impounds the Silvermine River near Pine Hill.
The dam stands 105 feet tall and stretches 940 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 69 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,870 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 9 square miles. Completed in 1947, 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 04/16/2024.
At 105 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Fairfield |
| Nearest City | Pine Hill |
| River/Stream | Silvermine River |
| Coordinates | 41.20059, -73.49316 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 105 ft |
| Dam Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Length | 940 ft |
| Year Completed | 1947 (79 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,870 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,870 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,660 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 69 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Norwalk |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 04/16/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00058 |
| Federal ID | CT00058 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |