Bugbee Flood Control Dam
Bugbee Flood Control Dam is an earth dam located in Hartford County, Connecticut, built in 1969. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bugbee Flood Control Dam
The primary purpose of Bugbee 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 Trout Brook Trib near West Hartford.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 410 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 157 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1969, 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 05/04/2023.
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 | Hartford |
| Nearest City | West Hartford |
| River/Stream | Trout Brook Trib |
| Coordinates | 41.77916, -72.76124 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 410 ft |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,300 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,300 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 157 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,000 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Connecticut DEEP |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/04/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00491 |
| Federal ID | CT00491 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |