Black Rock Dam, Connecticut, USA

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Quick Facts About Black Rock Dam

Location: Litchfield, Connecticut
Coordinates: 41.657643, -73.1054137
River: Branch Brook River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Rockfill Earth Gravity
Commissioned: 1971
Dam Height: 130 ft (40 m)
Dam Length: 933 ft (284 m)
Dam Capacity: 8,450 acre-ft (10,423 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available

Black Rock Dam Map

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Black Rock Dam Information

Black Rock Dam is a rockfill earth gravity dam located in Waterbury, Litchfield, Connecticut.

The dam, which is on the Branch Brook River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for benefits.

The dam was designed by CENAE and commissioned in 1971 and is currently owned by USACE – New England District.

Black Rock Dam Structure

The Black Rock Dam is approximately 933 feet (284 m) long, 130 feet (40 m) high and has a structural volume of 1,258,400 cubic yards (962,116 cubic metres).

Black Rock Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 305 acre-ft (376 Ml) and maximum capacity of 8,450 acre-ft (10,423 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 21 acres (8 ha) and the total catchment area is 20 square miles (52 square kilometres).

Black Rock Dam Spillway

The dam has a 140 feet (43 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 33500 cubic feet per second (949 cubic metres per second).

Black Rock Dam Compared to Four Famous American Dams

Black Rock Dam
Litchfield, Connecticut
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft) 130 730 550 357 216
Length (Ft) 933 1,244 5,673 6,920 1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft) 8,450 30,237,000 9,562,000 3,540,000 29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles) 20 167,800 74,100 3,611 108,355

Black Rock Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Black Rock Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Black Rock Dam

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Black Rock Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Black Rock Dam?

Black Rock Dam is in Connecticut.

In which county is the Black Rock Dam?

Black Rock Dam is in Litchfield County.

How high is the Black Rock Dam?

Black Rock Dam is 130 feet high.

How long is the Black Rock Dam?

Black Rock Dam is 933 feet long.

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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