Canoe Brook Lake Dam
Canoe Brook Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, built in 1870. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Canoe Brook Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Canoe Brook Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Canoe Brook Lake Association (private). It impounds the Canoe Brook near Trumbull.
The dam stands 33 feet tall and stretches 360 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 62 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1870, 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 04/19/2024.
At 33 feet, this dam is taller than 78% 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 | Trumbull |
| River/Stream | Canoe Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.25003, -73.24109 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Length | 360 ft |
| Year Completed | 1870 (156 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,100 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 580 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 62 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,150 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Canoe Brook Lake Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/19/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00082 |
| Federal ID | CT00082 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |