Spectacle Swamp Flood Control Dam
Spectacle Swamp Flood Control Dam is an earth dam located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, built in 1973. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Spectacle Swamp Flood Control Dam
The primary purpose of Spectacle Swamp Flood Control Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Connecticut Deep (state). It impounds the Spectacle Brook near Wilton.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 73 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,194 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1973, 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 06/07/2023.
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 | Fairfield |
| Nearest City | Wilton |
| River/Stream | Spectacle Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.23686, -73.47021 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1973 (53 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,194 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,194 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 420 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 73 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 99 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Connecticut DEEP |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/07/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00476 |
| Federal ID | CT00476 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |