Occum
Occum is a masonry dam located in New London County, Connecticut, built in 1900. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Occum
The primary purpose of Occum is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by City Of Norwich Department Of Public Utilities (local government). It impounds the Shetucket River near Norwich.
The dam stands 14 feet tall and stretches 520 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 65 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 155 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 465 square miles. Completed in 1900, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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 07/12/2018.
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Location
| State | Connecticut |
| County | New London |
| Nearest City | Norwich |
| River/Stream | Shetucket River |
| Coordinates | 41.59710, -72.04960 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 520 ft |
| Year Completed | 1900 (126 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 155 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 155 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 155 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 65 acres |
| Drainage Area | 465 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | City of Norwich Department of Public Utilities |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/12/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00576 |
| Federal ID | CT00576 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |