South Pond Dam
South Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Litchfield County, Connecticut, built in 1850. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About South Pond Dam
The primary purpose of South Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Mount Riga, Inc. (private). It impounds the Wachocastinook Creek near Salisbury.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 138 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,206 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1850, 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 10/12/2023.
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 | Litchfield |
| Nearest City | Salisbury |
| River/Stream | Wachocastinook Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.00544, -73.46909 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1850 (176 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,206 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,206 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 731 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 138 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 590 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Mount Riga, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/12/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00592 |
| Federal ID | CT00592 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |