Ensign Bickford Dam
Ensign Bickford Dam is an earth dam located in Hartford County, Connecticut, built in 1900. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Ensign Bickford Dam
The primary purpose of Ensign Bickford Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Simsbury Grist Mill Llc (private). It impounds the Hop Brook near Simsbury.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 60 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 24 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 10 square miles. Completed in 1900, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 01/26/2023.
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Location
| State | Connecticut |
| County | Hartford |
| Nearest City | Simsbury |
| River/Stream | Hop Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.86986, -72.81153 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 60 ft |
| Year Completed | 1900 (126 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 24 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 24 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 24 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Drainage Area | 10 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 900 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Simsbury Grist Mill LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 01/26/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00567 |
| Federal ID | CT00567 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |