Hartford Reservoir #1 Dam
Hartford Reservoir #1 Dam is an earth dam located in Hartford County, Connecticut, built in 1868. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Hartford Reservoir #1 Dam
The primary purpose of Hartford Reservoir #1 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 Metropolitan District Commission (public utility). It impounds the Tributary To Spice Brook near West Hartford.
The dam stands 46 feet tall and stretches 745 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 28 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 665 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1868, 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 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 06/20/2023.
At 46 feet, this dam is taller than 91% 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.
Location
| State | Connecticut |
| County | Hartford |
| Nearest City | West Hartford |
| River/Stream | Tributary To Spice Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.75010, -72.77638 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Length | 745 ft |
| Year Completed | 1868 (158 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 665 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 665 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 420 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 28 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,130 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Metropolitan District Commission |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 06/20/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00001 |
| Federal ID | CT00001 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |