West Hill Pond Dam (West Hill Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: West Hill Pond
Other Name: WEST HILL POND
NID ID: CT00377
Longitude: -73.03333
Latitude: 41.88333
County: LITCHFIELD
River: MORGAN BROOK
State: CT
Nearest City: BARKHAMPSTED
Distance: 1 miles
Owner Name: WEST HILL POND ASSOC./QUINNIPIAC COUNCIL
Owner Type: Private
Private Dam? No
Purposes: Recreation
Year Completed: 1900
Dam Length: 200 feet
Dam Height: 10 feet
Maximum Discharge: 60 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 2525 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 2525 acre-feet
Surface Area: 229.5 acres
Drainage Area: 1.2 square miles
Hazard Potential: Significant
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Frequency: 0
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: DEP
Spillway Width: 0 feet
Federal Funding Agency: WEST HILL POND
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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