Upper Pond Dam

Upper Pond Dam is an earth dam located in New London County, Connecticut, built in 1860. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Upper Pond Dam

The primary purpose of Upper Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Reneson (private). It impounds the Joshua Creek near Lyme.

The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 140 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 54 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1860, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 08/29/2018.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: No

Location

StateConnecticut
CountyNew London
Nearest CityLyme
River/StreamJoshua Creek
Coordinates41.39645, -72.37725

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height12 ft
Dam Height12 ft
Dam Length140 ft
Year Completed1860 (166 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage54 acre-ft
Max Storage54 acre-ft
Normal Storage54 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge145 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerReneson
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection08/29/2018
Emergency Action PlanNo

Identifiers

NID IDCT00421
Federal IDCT00421
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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