Echo Lake Dam

Echo Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Litchfield County, Connecticut, built in 1958. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Echo Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Echo Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Watertown (local government). It impounds the Echo Lake Brook near Watertown.

The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 355 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 11 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 75 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1958, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 11/29/2022.

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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateConnecticut
CountyLitchfield
Nearest CityWatertown
River/StreamEcho Lake Brook
Coordinates41.60040, -73.09788

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height24 ft
Dam Height24 ft
Dam Length355 ft
Year Completed1958 (68 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage88 acre-ft
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage88 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerTown of Watertown
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection11/29/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCT00124
Federal IDCT00124
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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