Bantam Hydro Dam

Bantam Hydro Dam is a concrete dam located in Litchfield County, Connecticut, built in 1945. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Bantam Hydro Dam

The primary purpose of Bantam Hydro Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Firstlight Ct Hydro Llc (public utility). It impounds the Bantam River near Litchfield.

The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 90 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 23 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 39 square miles. Completed in 1945, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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 10/22/2019.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: No

Location

StateConnecticut
CountyLitchfield
Nearest CityLitchfield
River/StreamBantam River
Coordinates41.72324, -73.23911

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeConcrete
NID Height20 ft
Dam Height20 ft
Dam Length90 ft
Year Completed1945 (81 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage23 acre-ft
Max Storage23 acre-ft
Normal Storage23 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area39 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
OwnerFirstLight CT Hydro LLC
Owner TypePublic Utility
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection10/22/2019
Emergency Action PlanNo

Identifiers

NID IDCT01019
Federal IDCT01019
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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