Burnt Hill Flood Control Dam

Burnt Hill Flood Control Dam is an earth dam located in Hartford County, Connecticut, built in 1966. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Burnt Hill Flood Control Dam

The primary purpose of Burnt Hill Flood Control Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Connecticut Deep (state). It impounds the Trout Brook near West Hartford.

The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 23 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 280 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1966, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 04/24/2023.

At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% 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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateConnecticut
CountyHartford
Nearest CityWest Hartford
River/StreamTrout Brook
Coordinates41.73478, -72.77575

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height38 ft
Dam Height38 ft
Dam Length1,100 ft
Year Completed1966 (60 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage280 acre-ft
Max Storage280 acre-ft
Normal Storage280 acre-ft
Surface Area23 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge536 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerConnecticut DEEP
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection04/24/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCT00488
Federal IDCT00488
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

Nearby Dams