Fitchville Pond Dam
Fitchville Pond Dam is a concrete dam located in New London County, Connecticut, built in 1871. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Fitchville Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Fitchville Pond Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Bozrah Waterworks, Inc. (private). It impounds the Yantic River near Fitchville.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 61 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 759 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 68 square miles. Completed in 1871, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam.
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 | New London |
| Nearest City | Fitchville |
| River/Stream | Yantic River |
| Coordinates | 41.56380, -72.15564 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1871 (155 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 759 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 759 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 759 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 61 acres |
| Drainage Area | 68 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,117 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Bozrah Waterworks, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00510 |
| Federal ID | CT00510 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |