Jennings Pond Dam
Jennings Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, built in 1870. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Jennings Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Jennings Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Chester (local government). It impounds the Pattaconk Brook near Chester.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 115 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 96 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 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 10/22/2024.
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 | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Chester |
| River/Stream | Pattaconk Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.40004, -72.45390 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 115 ft |
| Year Completed | 1870 (156 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 96 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 96 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 95 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 7 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 515 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Town of Chester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/22/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00396 |
| Federal ID | CT00396 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |