Cedar Lake Dam

Cedar Lake Dam is an earth dam located in New Haven County, Connecticut, built in 1869. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Cedar Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Cedar Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Cedar Lake South Shore Assocaition;town Of Wolcott (private). It impounds the Mad River near Wolcott.

The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 315 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 143 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1869, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.

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 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 12/12/2011. That was over 14 years ago.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateConnecticut
CountyNew Haven
Nearest CityWolcott
River/StreamMad River
Coordinates41.63615, -72.97025

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height17 ft
Dam Height17 ft
Dam Length315 ft
Year Completed1869 (157 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage1,700 acre-ft
Max Storage1,700 acre-ft
Normal Storage1,200 acre-ft
Surface Area143 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge265 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerCedar Lake South Shore Assocaition;Town of Wolcott
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection12/12/2011
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDCT00295
Federal IDCT00295
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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