Bronson E. Lockwood Dam
Bronson E. Lockwood Dam is an earth dam located in Litchfield County, Connecticut, built in 1958. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bronson E. Lockwood Dam
The primary purpose of Bronson E. Lockwood 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 Watertown Fire District (public utility). It impounds the East Spring Brook near Minortown.
The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 820 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 67 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,291 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1958, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 09/27/2022.
At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.
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 | Minortown |
| River/Stream | East Spring Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.65759, -73.18640 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Length | 820 ft |
| Year Completed | 1958 (68 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,291 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,291 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,291 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 67 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,241 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Watertown Fire District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/27/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00435 |
| Federal ID | CT00435 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |