US Army Corps of Engineers
Hydrologic Engineering Center

Connecticut River

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Connecticut River, CT, MA, NH & VT - Multiple reservoir system in a large watershed

The Connecticut River site involves 14 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dams on nine tributaries across four states. This project involves significant research on the benefits provided by dams, environmental needs in the basin, and the effects of potential modifications. A total of 70 reservoirs are being considered for eventual inclusion in the project, making this effort one with the potential to benefit humans and wildlife throughout an entire watershed.

Ball Mountain Lake on the West River is part of a network of flood risk management reservoirs in the Connecticut River Basin and is also used for recreation.
Ball Mountain Lake - Ball Mountain Lake on the West River is part of a network of flood risk management reservoirs in the Connecticut River Basin and is also used for recreation (USACE photo).
Otter Brook Dam, near Keene, New Hampshire, is part of a network of flood risk management dams on tributaries of the Connecticut River. Otter Brook and Surry Mountain Dams are operated in conjunction to manage flood risk for the city of Keene and downstream areas along the Ashuelot River and the Connecticut River mainstem.
Otter Brook Dam - Otter Brook Dam, near Keene, New Hampshire, is part of a network of flood risk management dams on tributaries of the Connecticut River. Otter Brook and Surry Mountain Dams are operated in conjunction to manage flood risk for the city of Keene and downstream areas along the Ashuelot River and the Connecticut River mainstem (USACE photo).
Fishing spot on the Ware River downstream of Barre Falls Dam. Barre Falls Dam is located near Hubbardston, Barre, Rutland and Oakham, Massachusetts, and is a part of a network of flood risk management projects on tributaries of the Connecticut River.
Barre Falls Dam - Fishing spot on the Ware River downstream of Barre Falls Dam. Barre Falls Dam is located near Hubbardston, Barre, Rutland and Oakham, Massachusetts, and is a part of a network of flood risk management projects on tributaries of the Connecticut River (USACE photo).
Built in 1941, Surry Mountain Dam is the oldest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood risk management dam in the Upper Connecticut River Basin.
Surry Mountain Dam - Built in 1941, Surry Mountain Dam is the oldest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood risk management dam in the Upper Connecticut River Basin (USACE photo).
Ball Mountain Lake is located on the West River, a tributary to the Connecticut River, and is operated as part of a network of flood risk management reservoirs in the Upper Connecticut River Basin. With a length of 915 feet and a height of 265 feet, Ball Mountain is one of the largest earthen dams in New England.
Ball Mountain Lake - Ball Mountain Lake is located on the West River, a tributary to the Connecticut River, and is operated as part of a network of flood risk management reservoirs in the Upper Connecticut River Basin. With a length of 915 feet and a height of 265 feet, Ball Mountain is one of the largest earthen dams in New England (USACE photo).
Scientists, water managers, engineers, and planners work to define flow targets for ecological resources of the Connecticut River.
Defining Environmental Flows - Scientists, water managers, engineers, and planners work to define flow targets for ecological resources of the Connecticut River (photo by John Hickey, USACE).
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Story

The Connecticut River flows from its source near the Canadian border to Long Island Sound. Land use in the watershed is approximately 77 percent forested, 9 percent agricultural, 7 percent wetlands and water, and 7 percent developed. The Connecticut River is the only major river in the northeastern U.S. without a major port, harbor, or urban area at the mouth. The estuary contains high-quality tidal wetlands selected as Wetlands of International Importance.   Read More

Partners
  • Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
  • Massachusetts Riverways
  • New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
  • University of Massachusetts
  • US Geological Survey - Water Resources Division (CT Office)
  • US Geological Survey - Water Resources Division (MA/RI Office)
  • US Geological Survey - Water Resources Division (VT/NH Office)
  • Vermont Agency for Natural Resources
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