Kinneytown is a gravity dam located in New Haven County, Connecticut, built in 1913. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 21 ft21 ft tall and 413 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Kinneytown
The primary purpose of Kinneytown 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 Kinneytown Hydro Company, Inc. (private). It impounds the Naugatuck River near Ansonia.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 413 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 68 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 881 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 309 square miles. Completed in 1913, the structure is over a century old.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 06/13/2023.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Connecticut |
| County | New Haven |
| Nearest City | Ansonia |
| River/Stream | Naugatuck River |
| Coordinates | 41.36720, -73.08560 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 413 ft |
| Year Completed | 1913 (113 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 881 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 881 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 881 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 68 acres |
| Drainage Area | 309 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 59,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Kinneytown Hydro Company, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 06/13/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00089 |
| Federal ID | CT00089 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |