Good Afternoon!
I was just posting some videos on my new YouTube channel version of Adventures for Anyone,
https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466
and I decided to make a post about a topic that is coming out there in a couple days. The topic is the beginning on there of some information and in that case videos of the immense system of flood control, hydroelectric producing and fresh water storing dams and reservoirs that we have particularly in the western parts of Connecticut.
As the story goes, in 1955 there was a flood. Back to back hurricanes made landfall in the area and dumped over 20 inches of water in the matter of about three days. It caused massive flash floods and flooding in general. Particularly hard hit at that time was a little hamlet called Winsted in Winchester, Connecticut. The downtown is built along the banks of the Mad River, and the river went mad in 1955. 87 people were killed in the floods total, and what the water did to the region of Connecticut cost $200 million in damages in 1955. It was devastating and incredible and there are pictures online that you can look up.
After 1955, if your spot on the river didn't have a dam, you got one. There were already dams in order to hold fresh water for the cities, and sometimes for generating hydroelectric power. However, after that flood, all the rest went up. They are everywhere here where I live.
The best part for me is that over the years I learned to pay close attention. In almost every single case, there's not only one dam. There's always a backup plan.
The Hall Meadow Brook Dams. I say that plural because there are so many in that system. When you arrive at the big dam of that name, you think "Cool dam." However, If you look across the road between the rocks, you'll see a waterfall dam on another reservoir. That's dam #2. There's also one under your feet where you park. That's dam #3. If you go back down the road to the lower pump station you'll find another waterfall dam. That's dam #4. If you head on down to one of my favorite kayaking spots, Stillwater Pond, you'll find another dam connected to that network. That's dam #5. We aren't done yet, though. If you walk across the main dam into the woods on the other side, you will come out into another field and there is yet another large dam with an overflow and everything. That's dam #6. Incredible system.
Highland Lake in Winsted was built originally in 1771; was wood; and the lake was called Long Lake. It's obviously been updated over the years and things have changed. This is the lake directly above that old flood zone in the town below at the bottom of the hill. Hence, the name Highland lake. At the south end of the lake is a massive dam. That makes sense. But, it's not alone. In that system is also a smaller earthen dam that makes the second, smaller reservoir where the drinking water is held. In this system you can find three dams that help this system.
Not only that, but right up the road is another series of two dams specifically for flood control on the river. The Mad River. And the Mad River Dam.
In Connecticut it seems as though we have dams everywhere we look. In Collinsville, a location for dams that no one really thinks about there are two waterfall dams in less than a mile. They've been used for hydroelectric power, and they help regulate the river.
Right around the corner in Canton, there's an enormous dam at Nepaug that generates some electricity or used to. It's a huge waterfall dam and made an enormous fresh water reservoir.
The most amazing dam system I spend time around is the Farmington River and Colebrook River Dam. This massive dam was built as a result of the flood in 1955. However, the 1185 acre, sometimes 200 foot deep lake is incredible. And, this wasn't the first dam there.
As always, there's more than one dam. There's a drive into the dam that goes over a back up dam. The Colebrook River Dam makes up a giant lake that as boating enthusiasts we love. When the lake runs low in the fall, you can sometimes see a bridge that was submerged during the project in the sunken village that forfeited its venue for the reservoir. It's a fascinating place.
Below that dam is the West Branch Reservoir and below that is the Charles A. Goodwin Dam that formed it. This dam is a hydroelectric dam as well as flood control and construction started on this one in 1929. It was the first dam of this system, and begun well before the flood that triggered the construction of the others. The only flood gates you'll find in this system are on the Charles A. Goodwin Dam. There are no other floodgates, but both of the main dams have overflow areas blasted into the stone face of the mountains.
Barkhamsted Dam has two dams. Thomaston has two. Black Rock has two. They all have more than one. Connecticut didn't have to have the same tragedy happen twice. They learned that first time. Always try to control the situation. Always have a backup. The funny thing is, you'd think the world would look differently to us because we have so many dams, but it looks beautiful. Hats off to the engineers who somehow managed to make our dam areas beautiful. There are many of them that I kayak on. Highland Lake is a vacation home destination.
If you visit Northwestern Connecticut and fail to visit a flood control dam, you're missing out. They are everywhere. It's just one of the many fascinating things about the state that I chose to call home. So, take an adventure, pack your bags to go and see some fascinating engineering and enjoy!
https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Water/Dams/State-Owned-Dams-and-Flood-Control-Systems
https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Flood-Risk-Management/Connecticut/
https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Flood-Risk-Management/Connecticut/Hall-Meadow/
https://www.townofcantonct.org/content/19342/20393/47642/47725.aspx
https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/206
https://westbrooklibrary.org/news/what-to-do-in-connecticut/saville-dam-and-barkhamsted-reservoir/
https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/223
https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Thomaston-Dam/
https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Black-Rock-Lake/
https://snoflo.org/reservoir/connecticut/ct00364-bristol-reservoir-4-dam#google_vignette
https://snoflo.org/reservoir/connecticut/ct00485-norfolk-brook-flood-control-dam-6#google_vignette
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