Connecticut Dams is a 1:24,000-scale, point feature-based layer that displays the locations of dams in Connecticut that are owned and operated by individuals, businesses, corporations, water and electric utilities, local, state, and federal governments. Each dam is assigned a unique dam number. This information was compiled in 1996 and is based on dam safety information from the Inland Water Resources Division, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. The dams were mapped on 7½ Minute U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps and digitized at 1:24,000 scale.

Attributes include dam number and name, dam hazard classification, ownership type, town name and number, and major, regional and subregional basin numbers.  This layer does not include all dams in Connecticut and has not been updated since its creation in 1996.   

Connecticut Dams is a 1:24,000 scale spatial data developed for use by the Dam Safety Section of the Inland Water Resources Division, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, Department of Environmental Protection, State of Connecticut. The Dam Safety Section of the Inland Water Resources Division is charged with the responsibility for administration and enforcement of Connecticut's dam safety laws. The existing statutes require that permits be obtained to construct, repair or alter dams, dikes or similar structures and that existing dams, dikes and similar structures be registered and periodically inspected to assure that their continued operation and use does not constitute a hazard to life, health or property. The dam safety statutes are codified in Section 22a-401 through 22a-411 inclusive of the Connecticut General Statutes. Sections 22a-409-1 and 22a-409-2 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, have been enacted which govern the registration, classification, and inspection of dams. The Connecticut Dams data depict the locations of dams throughout the state of Connecticut. The information may be dated in some instances and is best used in conjunction with other 1:24,000 scale data such as hydrography, drainage basins, and political boundaries. Attribute information includes a unique dam number and dam hazard classification that rates the potential hazard to life and property as defined by Connecticut State Statute (Section 22a-409-1d), in the event of a dam breach. This information is not intended to be used or printed at map scales greater or more detailed than 1:24,000 scale (1 in. = 2,000 ft.).

For additional information, refer to the Dam Safety Program at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection found on website  http://www.ct.gov/dep/dams. 

James Bogar from the Natural Resources Center, DEP originally mapped dam locations at 1:24,000 scale by compiling information primarily available from the Dam Safety program, Inland Water Resources Division, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, DEP. Tom Nosal and Ann Kuzyk, also from DEP, digitized the maps compiled by James Bogar to create the first statewide digital spatial dataset of Connecticut dams.

publication date

None. The data is in the public domain and may be redistributed.

No restrictions or legal prerequisites for using the data. The data is suitable for use at appropriate scale, and is not intended for maps printed at scales greater or more detailed than 1:24,000 scale (1 inch = 2,000 feet).  Although this data set  has been used by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection as to the accuracy of the data and or related materials. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection in the use of these data or related materials. The user assumes the entire risk related to the use of these data. Once the data is distributed to the user, modifications made to the data by the user should be noted in the metadata. When printing this data on a map or using it in a software application, analysis, or report, please acknowledge the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection as the source for this information. For example, include the following data source description when printing this layer on a map: Dams - From the Connecticut Dams layer, compiled and published by CT DEP. Source map scale is 1:24,000.

Includes Dam features such as dam number and name, hazard classification, type of ownership, town name, town number, USGS topo quadrangle number, and major, regional and subregional basin numbers.  Use the DAM_NO to uniquely identify features. Use the dam hazard (DAM_HAZ) attribute to symbolize features by potential hazard on a map.  Use the OWNER attribute to symbolize features by type of ownership (private, public, state, etc.)

Dam locations represented as point features.

State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection

Point features conform to the following topological rules. Points are single part. There are no duplicate points. Points do not overlap. Establishment of logical consistency was performed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection using ESRI ArcGIS software to manually create and control feature topology in originally in ArcInfo coverage format. No automated procedures or tests were performed to guarantee desired topology other than visual inspection.

The completeness of the data reflects the feature content of the data sources, which include the dam safety program records and maps on file at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection in 1996.  This layer is complete in the sense that it accurately reflects the information available at the time the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection initially created the Dam layer (1996). However, it is not a complete compilation relative of dams in existence today.

The Connecticut Dams layer retains the feature types and information identified by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection and obtained from the Dam Safety Program database.  Values are within defined domains, but attributes may not have correct or valid values. Information may be incorrect or out of date. Accuracy check of attribute data is unknown.

The horizontal positional accuracy of this data is no better than the United States National Map Accuracy Standards for 1:24,000 scale maps. According to this standard, not more than 10 percent of the locations tested are to be in error by more than 1/50 inch (40 feet) measured on the publication scale of a USGS 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle map.  Point features may not be accurately positioned because the locations were interpolated relative to features on USGS 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle maps such as dams, waterbodies, roads, trails, buildings, and elevation contours.

Connecticut Dams

Although this data set  has been used by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection as to the accuracy of the data and or related materials.  The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection in the use of these data or related materials. The user assumes the entire risk related to the use of these data. Once the data is distributed to the user, modifications made to the data by the user should be noted in the metadata.

Geographic information sytem (GIS), computer-aided drawing or other mapping software is necessary to display, view and access the information.

The data distributor does not provide custom GIS analysis or mapping services. Data is available in a standard format and may be converted to other formats, projections, coordinate systems, or selected for specific geographic regions by the party receiving the data.