Bristol Reservoir #1 Dam is an earth dam located in Hartford County, Connecticut, built in 1885. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 25 ft25 ft tall and 250 ft long, taller than 50% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Bristol Reservoir #1 Dam
The primary purpose of Bristol 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 City of Bristol (local government). It impounds the Tributary to Pequabuck River.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 33 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 348 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1885, the structure is over a century 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 11/24/2021.
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 |
| River/Stream | Tributary to Pequabuck River |
| Coordinates | 41.67681, -72.98958 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1885 (141 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 348 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 348 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 348 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 33 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 200 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Bristol |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/24/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00008 |
| Federal ID | CT00008 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |