Columbia Lake Dam
Columbia Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Tolland County, Connecticut, built in 1865. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Columbia Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Columbia Lake 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 Columbia (local government). It impounds the Columbia Lake Brook near Columbia.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 295 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 290 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,450 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1865, 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 12/21/2023.
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 | Tolland |
| Nearest City | Columbia |
| River/Stream | Columbia Lake Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.71856, -72.33217 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 295 ft |
| Year Completed | 1865 (161 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,450 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,450 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,370 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 290 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 624 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Town of Columbia |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 12/21/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00520 |
| Federal ID | CT00520 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |