Deans Reservoir Dam
Deans Reservoir Dam is a masonry dam located in New London County, Connecticut, built in 1888. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Deans Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Deans Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Aquarion Water Company Of Connecticut (public utility). It impounds the Copps Brook.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 220 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 35 acres, has a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1888, the structure is over a century 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/19/2024.
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 |
| River/Stream | Copps Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.37316, -71.93062 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 220 ft |
| Year Completed | 1888 (138 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 90 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 90 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 35 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 04/19/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT00614 |
| Federal ID | CT00614 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |