East Lake Reservoir Dam
East Lake Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, built in 1855. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About East Lake Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of East Lake 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 City Of Danbury (local government). It impounds the East Lake Brook Trib near Danbury.
The dam stands 47 feet tall and stretches 660 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 75 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,400 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1855, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 10/22/2024.
At 47 feet, this dam is taller than 92% of dams nationwide.
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 | Danbury |
| River/Stream | East Lake Brook Trib |
| Coordinates | 41.43975, -73.49019 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 47 ft |
| Dam Height | 47 ft |
| Dam Length | 660 ft |
| Year Completed | 1855 (171 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,400 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,400 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 993 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 75 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,400 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Danbury |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/22/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00066 |
| Federal ID | CT00066 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |