Morris Reservoir Dam
Morris Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Litchfield County, Connecticut, built in 1910. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Morris Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Morris Reservoir 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 Waterbury (local government). It impounds the Branch Brook near Watertown.
The dam stands 70 feet tall and stretches 810 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 135 acres, has a storage capacity of 4,590 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1910, 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 06/19/2024.
At 70 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Watertown |
| River/Stream | Branch Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.67442, -73.14552 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Length | 810 ft |
| Year Completed | 1910 (116 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,590 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,590 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 135 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Waterbury |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/19/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00473 |
| Federal ID | CT00473 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |