Eureka Lake Dam
Eureka Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, built in 1878. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Eureka Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Eureka 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 Town Of Bethel (local government). It impounds the Un-named Tributary To Murphy Brook near Bethel.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 32 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 250 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1878, the structure is over a century 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 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 11/14/2024.
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 | Fairfield |
| Nearest City | Bethel |
| River/Stream | Un-named Tributary To Murphy Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.36308, -73.43797 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1878 (148 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 210 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 32 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 29 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Bethel |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/14/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00077 |
| Federal ID | CT00077 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |