Paper Mill Pond Dam
Paper Mill Pond Dam is an earth dam located in New London County, Connecticut, built in 1870. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Paper Mill Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Paper Mill Pond 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 Town Of Sprague (local government). It impounds the Little River near Versailles.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 573 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 51 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,275 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 37 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 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/05/2021.
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Location
| State | Connecticut |
| County | New London |
| Nearest City | Versailles |
| River/Stream | Little River |
| Coordinates | 41.62016, -72.04273 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 573 ft |
| Year Completed | 1870 (156 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,275 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,275 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 766 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 51 acres |
| Drainage Area | 37 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,750 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Sprague |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 11/05/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00471 |
| Federal ID | CT00471 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |