Moody Reservoir Dam
Moody Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in New Haven County, Connecticut, built in 1900. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Moody Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Moody 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 Connecticut Water Company (public utility). It impounds the Marks Brook near Naugatuck.
The dam stands 56 feet tall and stretches 1,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 54 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1900, 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 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 12/12/2024.
At 56 feet, this dam is taller than 94% 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 | New Haven |
| Nearest City | Naugatuck |
| River/Stream | Marks Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.47875, -73.00143 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 56 ft |
| Dam Height | 56 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1900 (126 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,300 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 54 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,878 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Connecticut Water Company |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 12/12/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00305 |
| Federal ID | CT00305 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |