Lake Beseck Dam is a masonry dam located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, built in 1846. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 34 ft34 ft tall and 300 ft long, taller than 78% 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 Lake Beseck Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Beseck Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Connecticut Deep (state). It impounds the Ellen Doyle Brook near Baileyville.
The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 116 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,089 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1846, 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. The most recent inspection on record was 10/14/2021.
At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 78% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Connecticut |
| County | Middlesex |
| Nearest City | Baileyville |
| River/Stream | Ellen Doyle Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.51205, -72.72743 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1846 (180 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,089 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,089 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,256 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 116 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,200 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Connecticut Deep |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/14/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00381 |
| Federal ID | CT00381 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |