Lake Gaillard Dam
Lake Gaillard Dam is a concrete dam located in New Haven County, Connecticut, built in 1929. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Gaillard Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Gaillard 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 South Central Ct Rwa (public utility). It impounds the Branford River near North Branford.
The dam stands 118 feet tall and stretches 1,232 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,110 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 53,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1929, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 04/16/2024.
At 118 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
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 | North Branford |
| River/Stream | Branford River |
| Coordinates | 41.33692, -72.77181 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 118 ft |
| Dam Height | 100 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,232 ft |
| Year Completed | 1929 (97 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 53,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 53,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 48,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,110 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,180 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | South Central CT RWA |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/16/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00387 |
| Federal ID | CT00387 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |