Old Marsh Pond Dam
Old Marsh Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Litchfield County, Connecticut, built in 1913. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Old Marsh Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Old Marsh 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 Bristol (local government). It impounds the Marsh Brook near East Plymouth.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 1,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 183 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,094 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1913, 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 11/24/2021.
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 | Litchfield |
| Nearest City | East Plymouth |
| River/Stream | Marsh Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.69925, -72.99625 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1913 (113 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,094 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,094 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,808 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 183 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,000 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Bristol |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/24/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00285 |
| Federal ID | CT00285 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |