Pemberwick Dam

About Pemberwick Dam

The primary purpose of Pemberwick Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Waterfall Hollow Of Greenwich Llc (private). It impounds the Byram River near Pemberwick.

The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 115 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 60 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 25 square miles. Completed in 1867, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/07/2023.

At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 90% 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.

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