Shenipsit Lake Dam is a masonry dam located in Tolland County, Connecticut, built in 1903. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 27 ft27 ft tall and 214 ft long, taller than 59% 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 concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Shenipsit Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Shenipsit Lake 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 Connecticut Water Company (public utility). It impounds the Hockanum River near Rockville.
The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 214 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 685 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 8,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 16 square miles. Completed in 1903, 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 11/19/2024.
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 | Tolland |
| Nearest City | Rockville |
| River/Stream | Hockanum River |
| Coordinates | 41.86870, -72.43252 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 214 ft |
| Year Completed | 1903 (123 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 8,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 8,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 8,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 685 acres |
| Drainage Area | 16 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,600 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Connecticut Water Company |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/19/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00209 |
| Federal ID | CT00209 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |