Lake Wintergreen Dam
Lake Wintergreen Dam is an earth dam located in New Haven County, Connecticut, built in 1863. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Wintergreen Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Wintergreen 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 Connecticut Deep (state). It impounds the Wintergreen Brook near New Haven.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 43 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 540 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1863, 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 05/09/2024.
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 | New Haven |
| River/Stream | Wintergreen Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.35315, -72.96750 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1863 (163 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 540 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 540 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 307 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 43 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 850 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Connecticut DEEP |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/09/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00118 |
| Federal ID | CT00118 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |