Shepards Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Windham County, Connecticut, built in 1890. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 38 ft38 ft tall and 175 ft long, taller than 84% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Shepards Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Shepards Pond 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 Town of Putnam (local government). It impounds the Little River near Woodstock.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 175 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 140 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 35 square miles. Completed in 1890, 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 09/11/2024.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 84% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Connecticut |
| County | Windham |
| Nearest City | Woodstock |
| River/Stream | Little River |
| Coordinates | 41.92760, -71.93922 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 175 ft |
| Year Completed | 1890 (136 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 140 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 140 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 140 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
| Drainage Area | 35 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,486 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Putnam |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/11/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CT01664 |
| Federal ID | CT01664 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |