Howard Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Hartford County, Connecticut, built in 1902. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 44 ft44 ft tall and 710 ft long, taller than 89% 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 Howard Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Howard Reservoir 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 Town of Manchester (local government). It impounds the Porter Brook near Manchester.
The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 710 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 17 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 478 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1902, 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 09/07/2023.
At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 89% 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 | Manchester |
| River/Stream | Porter Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.77161, -72.47810 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Length | 710 ft |
| Year Completed | 1902 (124 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 478 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 478 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 329 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 17 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 967 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Manchester |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/07/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00015 |
| Federal ID | CT00015 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |