Forest Lake Dam

Forest Lake Dam is a masonry dam located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, built in 1930. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.

About Forest Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Forest Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Bruce D. Oberfest, Trustee (private). It impounds the Bates Brook near New Fairfield.

The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 53 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 57 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1930, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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.

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Significant HazardNot Rated ConditionEmergency Action Plan: No

Location

StateConnecticut
CountyFairfield
Nearest CityNew Fairfield
River/StreamBates Brook
Coordinates41.48097, -73.48051

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeMasonry
NID Height14 ft
Dam Height14 ft
Dam Length53 ft
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage57 acre-ft
Max Storage57 acre-ft
Normal Storage57 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge3 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerBruce D. Oberfest, Trustee
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentNot Rated
Emergency Action PlanNo

Identifiers

NID IDCT00351
Federal IDCT00351
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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