Connecticut Governor Rell Applauds New System to Monitor State’s Dams

Dam Watch allows DEP to quickly access critical information on dam safety

November 30, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today said the state is now using high technology to monitor dam safety across the state.

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Governor Rell said Dam Watch – a new electronic, Internet-based solution being put in place by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) – will give state inspectors the ability to constantly monitor the conditions of the state’s 234 dams during adverse weather conditions.

DamWatch, developed by USEngineering Solutions Corp. in Hartford, gives DEP instant access to all plans, inspection reports and records related to these dams as well as “real time access” to gauges that monitor rain fall and water levels near these dams.

While the system is currently focused on state-owned dams, it will also help DEP assess and monitor conditions at many of the more than 4,000 private dams in the state. These dams are often located close to and in the same watersheds as the state-owned dams.

DEP staff will be training on the new Dam Watch system in coming weeks and it is expected to be fully operational in early 2008. A similar system is currently in use by the state Department of Transportation to monitor condition at bridges across the state.

Governor Rell said, “Dam Watch system is a perfect example of state agencies taking advantage of the latest technology to meet their responsibilities and protect the people of our state. By building this electronic system and putting it to use, DEP can more easily make certain that state-owned dams are in sound condition and can keep close tabs on them during severe storms.”

“The DEP has many responsibilities but none is as important as protecting the health and safety of our residents,” said DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy. “Being able to constantly monitor of the dams we own in the state is an enormously important tool to help us do that job.”

Important dams in the state that are monitored by the DamWatch system include:

Ansonia- Quillinan Reservoir

Bloomfield

Bloomfield Dam

Wintonbury Dam

Cold Spring Dam

Blue Hills Reservoir

Bolton

Bolton Lake Dam

Bridgeport

Bunnells Pond Dam

Chester

Pattaconk Reservoir Dam

Columbia

Mono Pond Dam

Durham

Miller Pond Dam

East Haddam

Leesville Dam

Bashan Lake

Pickeral Lake Dam

East Lyme

Powers Lake Dam

Gorton Pond Dam

Pataguanset Lake Dam

Griswold

Glasgo Pond Dam

Ashland Pond Dam

Pachaug Pond Dam

Hopeville Pond Dam

Hamden

Lake Wintergreen

Higganum Reservoir

Butterworth Dam Harwinton

Roraback Pond Dam

Lebanon

Red Cedar Lake

Brewster Pond Dam

Mansfield

Eagleville Dam

Middlefield

Lake Beseck Dam

Middletown

Crystal Lake Dam

Dooley Pond

Norfolk

West Side Dam#5

Norfolk Brook Dam #6

Wood Creek dam site

Whiting River Dam

North Canaan

Whiting River Dam

South Windsor

Avery Site #1

Avery Site#2

Stafford

Whitney Reservoir Site

Ellis Reservoir

Pomeroy Reservoir

Bradway Reservoir Dam

Ellithorpe Reservoir Dam

Shenipsit Reservoir Dam

Thompson - Quaddick Reservoir

Torrington

Stillwater Pond Dam

Burr Pond Dam

Union

Mashapaug Pond Dam

Watertown

Black Rock Pond Dam

Westbrook

Messerschmidt Pond Dam

Wrights Pond Dam

West Hartford

Burnt Hill Reservoir Dam,

Talcott Reservoir Dam

Winchester

Mad River Dam

Sucker Brook Reservoir

Source: Connecticut Governor