Upper Hart Pond Dam
Upper Hart Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Hartford County, Connecticut, built in 1920. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Upper Hart Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Upper Hart Pond 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 City Of New Britain (local government). It impounds the Mattabesset River near Berlin.
The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 24 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 168 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1920, 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 12/03/2024.
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 | Hartford |
| Nearest City | Berlin |
| River/Stream | Mattabesset River |
| Coordinates | 41.61374, -72.80963 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1920 (106 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 168 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 168 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 168 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 24 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 375 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of New Britain |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 12/03/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00248 |
| Federal ID | CT00248 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |