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Water US Army Corps sources of Engineers New England Division Development _14 4 _7@ 7, I j., -1 1# 1 _41 A -1, 1VIUr, tig 4 k" I oil I NOW too T, n-or A e 'low- C=3 -4k** TC 424 X8 Owl W67 Mal MMUL 1991 Connecticut 1991 1@r ., -@ @ . , --O@ On the Cover: The shore protection project on the Salmon River at Colchester and East Hampton The work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Connecticut 1991 This booklet presents a brief description of water re- sources projects completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Connecticut. It describes the role of the Corps in planning and building water resource improve- ments and explains the procedure leading to the autho- rization of such projects. For case of reference, the material is arranged accord- ing to the type of project, i.e. flood damage reduction, navi- gation, or shore and bank protection. There is also a refer- ence at the end of the booklet that lists Corps' projects by community. A map showing the location of all Corps pro- jects in the state is provided on the underleaf of this page. The Corps of Engineers water resources development program exerts a significant impact on Connecticut's physical, economic, and social environment. This publi- cation affords citizens the opportunity to learn about the various projects and to determine how they can participate in decisions regarding present and future activities. For further information, call the Corps of Engineers at 617-647-8777, or write: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England Division Public Affairs Office 424 Trapelo Road of CSC Librarr Waltham, MA 02254 Property US Army Corps of Engineers U - S - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA New England Division COASTAL SERVICES CENTER 2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE CHARLESTON , SC 29405-2413 T: This publication is authorized by the Secretary of the Army as required by PIL 99-662. TES MASSACHUSETTS A Sol y orth Canaan r, Lj Thompsonville 14 0 Riverton Windsor Locks VL Winst ad hr 'Now Hartford Windsor 0 C=2 /0 Torrington East Hanford Unionville HIRTF A River r@%ristol BRITAIN Thomaston NEW )1C Watertown giver CONNECTI q%l WATER URY 0 Middletown Woodbury 0 Meriden tr Naugatuck YORK New .i laid Beacon Falls 0 EIGHTMILE He Danbury N I - 4 4@ _4 0 Ansonia@ HOUSATONIC RIVER Derby t,, NEW HAVEN Clinton Guilford Old S'aybrook Ir 4 -.-r.TOra % I PATCHOGUE Mili d STONY CREEK DUCK ISLAND BRANFORD HA CLINTON HA ev NEW HAVEN HARBOR Westport Southport Fairfield BLAC BRID TA FO PORT CHESTER HARBOR G r..R GREENWI HARBOR %Tich MtAN S RIVER SOUTHPORT HARBOR FIVEMILE RIVER HARBOR @ILSON POINT HARBOR i STAMFORD HARBO NORWALK HARBOR WESTPORT HARBOR WESTCOTT COVE & SAUGATUCK RIVER DEPARTM@NT OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, NEW ENGLAND DIVISION WALTHAM, MA. US Army Corps of Engineers New England Division For more than 216years, the missions and accomplishments ofthe U.S. Army Corps ofEngin- eers have closely reflected the needs and wants ofa growing, changing nation. For much ofthis time, the Corps has played a major role in our nation's water resources development, including naviga- tion,flood control, water qualiy and supply, recreation and relatedprojects. Although the drivingforce behind our water resources development mission has remained con- stant-providing qualiy service to the nation there have been several challenging adjustments in how we meet this requirement. One such change was the introduction of non-federal cost sharing in the Water Resources Devel- opment Act. Though legislatively reaffirmed in the subsequent acts of 1988 and 1990, the true value ofcost-shared development can be measured by the many successful projects ofthis partner- ship and the healthy water resources program it ensuresfor thefuture. Another challenge we havejaced recently is the increasedpublic concernfor their environment. We have always complied with environmental laws and regulations and managed ourprojects as a trust we holdfor thefuture. Compliance, however, is no longer enough. We are taking an active position to not only protect but enhance ourfragile environment. The Secreta?y of the Army has been directed to include environmental protection as one ofour primag missions, and the Water Resources Development Act of 1990 established a "no net loss" polig as an essential part ofall water resources development. In addition to making environmen- tal considerations as important as engineering and economic considerationsfor new start projects, we are taking a new look at existing projects to determine how they can be environmentally improved. Looking ahead to the needs ofour nation, we are taking a lead role in helping rebuild our nation's aging infrastructure. The U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers has always been at theforfiont ofinfrastructure develo ment in the United States exploring new ter7ito?yfor settlement, surveying p transportation routes and opening rivers to navigation. Mile we work to restore and strengthen the vital links in our infrastructure, we are also exploring new methods to meet increasing and vaiying national requirements. One such effort is ajointfederal, non-federal demonstration project to determine thefeasibiliy ofa U.S. developed and built high-speed magnetic levitation trans- portation gstem. We have also been working actively with the construction indusby on a cost-shared Construc- tion Productiviy Advancement Research Program. This program has the double benefits ofin- creasing the U.S. construction indushy's competitive abiliy in the international market while providing more effective techniques, equipment andprocessesforfederal and non-federal projects in the United States With these initiatives, we are building on the Corps'traditions ofprofessionalism and service to meet the needs ofour nationfor another 200years. We are proud of the partnerships we have forged, and lookforward to an exciting, rewardingfuture in water resources development. This booklet is one in a series detailing water resources programs in the 50 states and U.S. possessions. I hopeyoufind it interesting andjeel some pride ofownership. HJ. HATCH Lieutenant General, USA Commanding US Army Corps of Engineers New England Division The U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers has along and pro udhisto?Y of applying its expertise in engineering and related disciplines to meet the Nation's nee&. Over theyears, those nee& have evolved,from such 19th Centug activities as exploration, pathfinding and lighthouse construction to such modem missions as hazardous and toxic waste removal and environmental improvement. The centralfocus ofits Civil Works mission, however, hasfrom its earliest days, been development ofthe Nation 's water resources. The water resource projects developed by the Corps ofEngineers, in cooperation with State and localproject sponsors, have proven themselves time and again as wise investments ofpublicfunds, returning to the public in benefits-low cost transportationflood damages prevented, etc.-far more than their cost to plan, build and operate. As a result, the Civil Works program enjoys a high degree ofcredibiliy within the Administration, and with Congress. With, a program ofmore than $3.5 billion in Fiscal Year 1991, the Civil Works program was one ofthe veryfew "domestic dis- cretionag" activities of the Federal government to receive an increase infunding thatyear Yet, proud as we are of the respect this program commands within the Federal government, we are even prouder of the trust that ourpartners the States, local governments, port authorities, water management districts and other localproject sponsors place in us. Each Corps ofEngineers project is the product of an orderly study and design process. Under provisions ofthe Water Resources Development Act of 1986, sponsors demonstrate their commit- ment early in the project development process by agreeing tojointfunding ofthefeasibiliy study upon which a project's construction authorization will be based, and to cost sharing ofthe project's construction once it is authorized. To date, more than 150 non-Federal sponsors have signed Local Cooperation Agreementsfor studies or congressionally authorizedprojects. The engineering expertise and responsiveness of the Corps ofEngineers, gained in the Civil Works and Supportfor Others programs as well as in its milita?y construction role, has stood the Nation in good steadfrom Alaska, where it participated in the oil spill cleanup; to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Southeastern States, where it spearheaded recoveg efforts after Hurri- cane Hugo; to California in the afiermath of the Loma P7ieta Earthquake; to the Midwest and California as they deal with continuing drought; to Panama and the Middle East in Operations JUS T CAUSE and DESERT SHIELDIDESERT S TORM; to dozens of other locations. Matever challenges arise in theyears and decades ahead, I have no doubt that the Army Corps of Engineers will be equal to the task. G. Edward Dickey Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Table of Contents A. U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS Danbury 46 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES I Derby 47 1. Civil Works Overview 3 East Hartford 47 Introduction 4 Folly Brook, Wethersfield 48 Authorization and Planning Process for Hartford 48 Water Resource Projects 6 North Canaan 49 Navigation 6 Norwalk 49 Flood Control and Flood Plain Management 7 Norwich 50 Flooding in New England 9 Torrington - East Branch 50 Reservoir Control Center 14 Torrington - West Branch 51 Shore and Hurricane Protection 16 Waterbury/Watertown 51 Hydropower 17 Mad River, Waterbury (Woodtick) 52 Water Supply 18 West River, New Haven 52 Environmental Quality 18 Winsted 53 Regulatory Programs 19 111. Navigation 54 Recreation 20 Navigation Projects in Connecticut 55 Emergency Response and Recovery 21 Black Rock Harbor 56 Branford Harbor 57 B. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS 23 Bridgeport Harbor 57 Clinton Harbor 58 1. River Basins 25 Compo Beach 58 Housatonic 26 Connecticut River 58 Connecticut 27 Duck Island Harbor 60 Pawcatuck 28 Fivemile River Harbor 60 Thames 29 Greenwich Harbor 61 Guilford Harbor 61 H. Flood Damage Reduction 30 Housatonic River 62 Dams and Reservoirs 31 Mianus River 62 Black Rock Lake in Thomaston and Milford Harbor 62 Watertown 32 Mystic River 62 Colebrook River Lake in Colebrook 32 New Haven Harbor 63 East Branch Dam in Torrington 33 New London Harbor 64 Hall Meadow Brook Dam in Torrington 33 Niantic Bay and Harbor 65 Hancock Brook Lake in Plymouth 34 Norwalk Harbor 65 Hop Brook Lake in Naugatuck, Patchogue River 66 Middlebury and Waterbury 35 Pawcatuck River and Mad River Lake in Winchester 36 Little Narragansett Bay 66 Mansfield Hollow Lake in Mansfield Port Chester Harbor 67 and Windham 36 Southport Harbor 67 Northfield Brook Lake in Thomaston Stamford Harbor 68 and Litchfield 37 Stonington Harbor 68 Sucker Brook Dam in Winchester 37 Stony Creek 68 Thomaston Dam in Thomaston 38 Thames River 68 West Thompson Lake in Thompson 38 Westcott Cove 70 Westport Harbor and Saugatuck River 71 Hurricane Protection Barriers 41 Wilson Point Harbor 71 New London 42 Pawcatuck 42 rV. Shore and Bank Protection 72 Stamford 43 Shore and Bank Protection Projects Local Protection Projects 45 in Connecticut 73 Ansonia 46 Burial Hill Beach 74 Byram River, Greenwich 46 Calf Pasture Beach 74 Compo Beach 74 C. STUDIES 84 Cove Island 74 Flood Damage Reduction 84 Cummings Park 74 Housatonic River Basin 84 Guilford Point Beach 75 Long Island Sound 84 Gulf Beach 75 Rippowarn River 84 Gulf Street 75 Hammonasset Beach 76 Navigation 84 Housatonic River, Salisbury 76 Stonington Harbor 84 Jennings Beac 'h and Ash Creek 76 Shore and Bank Protection 84 Lighthouse Point Park 76 East Haven 84 Middle Beach 76 Prospect Beach 84 Connecticut River, Middletown 76 Woodmont Beach 84 Nonewaug River, Woodbury 77 Port V Facility, Bridgeport 77 Prospect Beach 78 D. APPENDIX 85 Salmon River, Colchester 78 Sasco Hill Beach 78 1. Communities with Corps Projects 86 Sea Bluff Beach 78 11. Glossary 90 Seaside Park 79 Sherwood Island State Park 79 111. Index 92 Short Beach 79 Silver Beach to Cedar Beach 79 Farmington River, Simsbury 80 Southport Beach 80 Squantz Pond, New Fairfield 81 Woodmont Shore 81 U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Connecticut 1991 m CIVIL WORKS OVERVIEW Connecticut 1991 a Introduction The Corps traces its history back to April 26, 1775, seven British. An astonished General Howe, commander of the days after the first shots of the American Revolution were British forces, reportedly remarked that the Americans fired at Lexington, Massachusetts. Recognizing that the had done more in one night than his entire army would need for military engineering skill would be important in have done in six months. Exposed to the American bat- the war with England, the Massachusetts Provincial Con- teries on Dorchester Heights and not strong enough to gress appointed Boston native Richard Gridley to the rank fight Washington's troops in other parts of Boston, the of Colonel and chief engineer of the troops being raised in British army and fleet departed Boston on March 17, the colony. never again to occupy Massachusetts. In the early morning hours ofjune 17, 1775, Gridley, In 1802, Congress established a separate Corps of Engin- working under the cover of darkness, constructed a well- eers within the Army, and at the same time established the designed earthwork on Breed's Hill that proved practically U. S. Military Academy at West Point, the country's first- invulnerable to British cannon. The British eventually took and for 20 years its only-engineering school. With the the hill (later called the Battle of Bunker Hill) when the Army having the Nation's most readily available engineer- patriots ran out of gunpowder, but at a cost in casualties ing talent, successive Congresses and Administrations es- greater than any other engagement of the war. tablished a role for the Corps as an organization to carry out Gridley was to play other critical roles in the early days both military construction and works "of a civil nature." of the Revolution. On the evening of March 4, 1776, Grid- Throughout the nineteenth century, the Corps super- ley, along with 2000 men and 360 oxcarts loaded with en- vised the construction of coastal fortifications, lighthouses, trenching materials, moved into Dorchester Heights. By several early railroads, and many of the public buildings in daylight, two strong protective barriers looked down at the Washington, DC, and elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Corps of A j 4 77*" Under the direction of Colonel Richard Gridley, American patriots worked diligently throughout the early morning hours ofjune 17, 1775, designing a stout earthworkfortification that helpedprotect American soldiersfrom British cannonade in the historic Battle ofBunker Hill. US Army Corps of Engineers Topographical Engineers, which enjoyed a separate exis- made it a natural to assume new water-related missions in tence for 25 years (1838-1863), mapped much of the Amer- such areas as flood control, shore and hurricane protec- ican West. Army Engineers served with distinction in war, tion, hydropower, recreation, water supply and quality, and with many Engineer officers rising to prominence during wetland protection. the Civil War. Today's Corps of Engineers carries out missions in three In its civil role, the Corps of Engineers became increas- broad areas: military construction and engineering support ingly involved with river and harbor improvements, carry- to military installations; reimbursible support to other ing out its first harbor and jetty work in the first quarter of Federal agencies (such as the Environmental Protection the nineteenth century. The Corps'ongoing responsibility Agency's "Superfund" program to clean up hazardous and for federal river and harbor improvements dates from toxic waste sites); and the Civil Works mission, centered 1824, when Congress passed two acts authorizing the around navigation, flood control and-under the Water Corps to survey roads and canals and to remove obstacles Resources Development Acts of 1986 and 1990 a growing on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Over the years since, role in environmental protection. the expertise gained by the Corps in navigation projects @6 na" Army engineers contributed to both planning and construction ofour nation's capital. When the M A Capitol Building had to be reconstructed in 1857, the Corps built two new wings and redesigned the dome with cast and wrought iron. The completed dome, which weighed almost nine million pounds, was used by President Abraham Lincoln during I @M the Civil War as a symbol ofhis intention to pre- serve the Union. -ow M 01*1 IT7, Ir W, 411 1 V of Cleaning chemical spills at hazardous waste sites is a team project between the Corps and the EPA. An area identified as a hazardous waste location was this site in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, near Cornell Pond and the Copicut River. Connecticut 1991 Authorization and States, the Chief of Engineers forwards the report and environmental statement to the Secretary of the Army, Planning Process for who obtains the views of the Office of Management and Water Resources Projects Budget before transmitting these documents to Congress. If Congress includes the project in an authorization bill, Water resources activities are initiated by local interests, enactment of the bill constitutes authorization of the pro- authorized by Congress, funded by Federal and non- ject. Before construction can get underway, however, both Federal sources, and constructed by the Corps under the the Federal government and the local project sponsor Civil Works Program. New England Division has water must provide funds. Budget recommendations are based resource responsibilities in all six New England states. on evidence of support by the State and by the ability and The area assigned to New England Division contains willingness of non-Federal sponsors to provide their share 66,000 square miles, 13 million people, 6, 100 miles of of the project cost. coastline, 13 major river basins and I I deep draft com- Appropriation of money to build a particular project is mercial ports. usually included in the annual Energy and Water Develop- The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 made ment Appropriation Bill, which must be approved by both numerous changes in the way potential new water re- Houses of the Congress and the President. sources projects are studied, evaluated and funded. The major change is that the law now specifies non-Federal cost sharing for most Corps water resources projects. Navigation When local interests feel that a need exists for improved navigation, flood protection, or other water resources de- Rivers and waterways were the primary paths of commerce velopment, they may petition their representatives in Con- in the new country. They provided routes from western gress. A Congressional committee resolution or an Act of farms to eastern markets. They promised a new life to the Congress may then authorize the Corps of Engineers to seaboard emigre and financial reward for the Mississippi investigate the problems and submit a report. Water re- Valley merchant. Without its great rivers, the vast, thickly- sources studies, except studies of the inland waterway nav- forested, region west of the Appalachians would have re- igation system, are conducted in partnership with a local mained impenetrable to all but the most resourceful early sponsor, with the Corps and the sponsor jointly funding pioneers. and managing the study. Consequently, western politicians such as Henry Clay For inland navigation and waterway projects, which are agitated for federal assistance to improve rivers. At the by their nature not "local," Congress has established, in same time, the War of 1812 showed the importance of a the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, an Inland reliable inland navigation system to national defense. Waterway Users Board, comprised of waterway transporta- Thus, both commercial development and military needs tion companies and shippers of major commodities. This required attention to river and harbor development. There Board advises the Secretary of the Army and makes recom- was, however, a question as to whether transportation was, mendations on priorities for new navigation projects (e.g., under the Constitution, a legitimate Federal activity. This locks and dams, channel improvements, etc.). Such pro- question was resolved when the Supreme Court ruled that jects are funded in part from the Inland Waterway Trust the Commerce Clause of the Constitution granted the Fund, which in turn is fed by waterway fuel taxes. Federal Government the authority not only to regulate Normally, the study process for a water resource prob- navigation and commerce, but also to make necessary nav- lem will include public meetings to determine the views igation improvements. of local interests on the extent and type of improvements The system of harbors and waterways maintained by the desired. The desires of local interests and the views of Corps of Engineers remains one of the most important Federal, State, and other agencies receive full considera- parts of the Nation's transportation system. Without con- tion during the planning process. stant supervision, rivers and other waterways collect soil, Considerations which enter into recommendations to debris and other obstacles, which lead to groundings and Congress for project authorization include determinations wrecks. New channels and cutoffs appear frequently, and that benefits will exceed costs, and that the engineering the main traffic lanes require continual surveillance. design of the project is sound, best serves the needs of the Where authorized to do so, the Corps maintains the people concerned, makes the wisest possible use of the Nation's waterways as a safe, reliable and economically natural resources involved, and adequately protects the efficient navigation system. Inland water-ways carry one environment. sixth of the Nation's inter-city cargo, and one job in five in A report, along with final environmental documenta- the United States is dependent, to some extent, on the tion, is then submitted to higher authority for review and commerce handled by the Nation's ports. recommendations. After review and coordination with all River and Harbor work by the Corps of Engineers in interested Federal agencies and Governors of affected New England was initiated by a congressional appropria- US Army Corps of Engineers A Jetties helpprovidesafe channelsfor commercial andrecreational vessels. Thejetties at Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich, Massachusetts, also helpprevent the buildup ofsediment in the channel by directing and confining the tidalflow. tion of $20,000 on May 26, 1824 "to repair Plymouth expertise in navigational work to devise solutions to flood- Beach, in the State of Massachusetts, and thereby prevent ing problems along the river. the harbour at that place from being destroyed." From After a series of disastrous floods affecting wide areas, that initial project at America's first permanent settle- including transportation systems, in the 1920's and 30's, ment, New England Division has completed 173 navigation it was recognized that the Federal Government should projects , including federal navigation projects in I I deep participate in the solution of problems affecting the public draft ports and adjacent waterways. The most visible of interest when they are too large or complex to be handled The Corps navigation responsibilities is the Cape Cod by States or localities. As a result, Corps authority for flood Canal, which has been operated by the federal government control work was extended in 1936 to embrace the entire since 1928. The canal is 17.5 miles long and is traversed by country. 19,000 vessels annually. In addition, its recreation features The purpose of flood control work is to prevent flood attract over 4 million annual visitors to the project. damage through flood flow regulation and other means. In addition, the Flood Control Act of 1944 provided that "flood control" shall include major drainage of land. These Flood Control and objectives are accomplished with structural measures, such Flood Plain Management as reservoirs, levees, channels and floodwalls, or non-struc- tural measures which alter the way people would other-wise Federal interest in flood control began in the Alluvial occupy or use the flood plain. Levees, channel improve- Valley of the Mississippi River in the 19th Century. As the ments and flood walls built for flood control by the Corps relationship of flood control and navigation became appar- of Engineers are turned over to non-Federal authorities for ent, Congress called on the Corps of Engineers to use its operation and maintenance. Connecticut 1991 Reservoirs constructed for flood control storage often in- planning for floods and regulation of flood plain areas, thus clude additional storage capacity for multiple-purpose uses, avoiding unwise development in flood-prone areas. Once such as the storage of water for municipal and industrial community officials know the flood- prone areas in their use, navigation, irrigation, development of hydroelectric communities and how often floods would be likely to occur, power, conservation of fish and wildlife, and recreation. they can take necessary action to prevent or minimize dam- The Corps fights the Nation's flood problems by not only ages to existing and new buildings and facilities by adopt- constructing and maintaining flood control structures, but ing and enforcing zoning'ordinances, building codes and also by providing detailed technical information on flood subdivision regulations. The Flood Plain Management hazards. Under the Flood Plain Management Services Services Program also provides assistance to other Federal Program, the Corps provides, on request, flood hazard agencies and to State agencies in the same manner. In information, technical assistance and planning guidance to many cases, fees are collected to cover a portion of the costs other Federal agencies, States, local governments and pri- of these services. vate individuals. This information is designed to aid in US Army Corps of Engineers Flooding in New England New England has a long history of flooding. Through the because their reservoir capacities had been reached, the 35 years it has been hit with various storms that have caused dams under the jurisdiction of the Corps' New England millions of dollars in damages. Some of the more destruc- Division held back billions of gallons of water that other- tive hurricanes and floods the area has experienced since wise would have caused severe flooding downstream. The 1900 occurred in November 1927; March 1936; September amount of water held back by these dams from this heavy 1938; September 1954; and August 1955. However, some rainfall was equivalent to a reservoir that could put the of the highest flood levels in New England history occurred entire state of Rhode Island under more than one foot of in April 1987 and gave many Corps dams their most seri- water. Damages prevented by Corps flood control projects ous test since they were built. Despite having six dams during the April 1987 storm amounted to $462.6 million. channel excess water through their emergency spillways Z L Lw _A@ 1927 Floodwaters swirl around homes and trees in this Vermont communi!y during the November 1927 @,7 flood. The storm claimed 21 lives and caused $29.3 million in propery damage ANEW U, 1936 AW- The rampaging waters of the North Nash no Ri ver ripped through the downtown area ofFitchburg, Massachusetts, during the March 1936flood, taking with it homes, automobiles, and com- mercial and industrial propery. Eleven lives 77%7@%'777% were lostfirom thisflood and damages were estimated at $66.4 million. Connecticut 1991 4 v ------- -------- % A., 7:@ Watersfiom the Connecticut Riversurround theHaqford South Meadows Power Station (center) andcover much ofHaq/ord, 1936 Connecticut, during the March 1936flood. The springfloods of 1936 brought widespread disasterfiom Maine to Magland and helped moldpolitical andpublic opinion that culminated in the Flood Control Act of 1936, which recognized the proper involvement of thefeder- algovernment inflood control. (Copyright 1936 The Hartford Courant). _4 1938 Z - 7F - - Pf , The heavy rains ofthe September 1938 hurricane aused the Contoocook River toflood a section of Eastjaffrey, New Hampshire. This storm, with its 121 mp.h. gusts, took the lives ofeightpeople in New England and caused damages of$48.6 million (about $740 million in today's dollars). US Army Corps of Engineers TRW A' I Ago A@' Hurricane Carol, which struck the New England coast in August 1954, caused damages estimated at $186 million ($685 million in 1954 todaj,s dollars) The storm achieved ?is greatestfug in a band stretchzngfrom Arew London, Connecticut to the Cape Cod Canal All that remains of the Rhode Island Yacht Club (above) in the Paiduret Neck section oj Warwick, Rhode Island, is a cradle ofpiles after the structure was deshoyed by Carol's high winds and zz,aves (Copyright 1954 The Pro,, idc nee journal CompanN) - '05e't f io 4k- lot: The Blach@ ton e R i ver oeerflows i is ba nks a ndfloods several b usz n esses a nd h om es i n Pa wt ucket, Rhode Isla n d as a resu lt of the hea vy 1955 rains ofHumcane Diane in August 1955 Connecticut 1991 A. A 3 -@x 1W 1955 No natural disaster in New England histog com- pares with the devastation caused by the sudden and torrential rainfall which accompanied Hur- PPIP ricane Diane in August 1955. The disaster killed 90people and caused almost $458 million (about $1.82 billion in today's dollars) in property dam- age throughout the six-state region. In Connecticut alone, Diane'sfloodwaters killed 47people and caused damages totalling about $370 million I (about $1.3 billion in today's dollars). The rains ofHurficane Dianefell on ground already sat- - - ---- urated by the rains ofHurricane Connie one week earlier. One ofthe communities that sustained heavy damage was Winsted, Connecticut. The waters of the Mad River over -F flowed its banks and roared through Main Street, uprootingfoundations and flooding homes and businesses. Men theflood- waters receded, the devastation became apparent (right). Main Street had become a pile of rubble, cluttered with debris rippedfrom its understructure. The storm alsoforced hundreds of New Englanders to evacuate their homes, including a Connecticut woman (above) who was dram- aticalo rescuedfrom ravagingfloodwaters. (Copyright 1955 The Hartford Courant). --- Only two monthslater, as Connecticut was getting back on itsfeet, another severeflood disrupted rehabilitation measures and caused losses estimated at $6.5 million. In response to these mijorfloods, the Corps built several dams and local protection projects that, in a recurrence ofthe August 1955floodtoday, would prevent damages of$1.04 billion US Army Corps of Engineers % CT73V L74 Ilk, @T 7- BR As these photosfrom August 1955demonstratefloodwaters pose a powerful threat to proper!y and lives. As the top photo shows, this 1955 Southbridge, Massachusetts home was toppled when thefloodwaters ofthe Quinebaug River weakened itsfoundation. Note the overturned automobile on the 10; its only identifiable remains are its tires. Floodwatersfrom the Blackstone River (above) roar through Webster Square in Worcester, Massachusetts. Connecdcut 1991 Reservoir Control Center potential flood conditions. This data indicates when to operate the flood control gates and when to release stored As a flood situation develops, considerable judgment and floodwaters from reservoirs once downstream flood condi- experience are required to efficiently manage Corps dams tions have receded. During flood emergency periods, addi- and reservoirs. Weather conditions, reservoir storage cap- tional information is obtained by telephone, teletype, and acity, and the flood levels of rivers are important factors radio from field personnel and other agencies, such as the when operating dams that maximize the protection of National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. downstream communities and minimize flood damage. The Reservoir Control Center has helped minimize or The nature of New England weather requires the region's prevent severe and damaging floods in many New England dams and reservoirs be professionally managed by trained communities. The Corps is proud of its commitment to engineers and hydrologists. These skilled technicians, provide the public with improved flood protection through using sophisticated communications equipment, form an the professional management of its dams and hurricane integral part of the Corps' flood control efforts known as protection barriers. the Reservoir Control Center (RCC). New England Division has been an innovative leader in -The RCC is located at the Corps' New England head- the use of non-structural solutions for flooding problems. quarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. From this site, Corps The Charles River Natural Valley Storage Project provides engineers closely monitor precipitation, river levels, and a novel approach to flood protection in parts of Boston and tidal levels in New England. The state-of-the-art commu- Cambridge by retaining flood flows on 8, 100 acres of wet- nications equipment used by RCC personnel is comple- land areas aquired by the government at a cost of $9 mil- mented by the Geostationary Operational Environmental lion. In Warwick, Rhode Island flood-prone properties Satellite (GOES) System. The GOES system serves as a were aquired, removed or modified to withstand high communication link for the relay of hydrologic and meteo- water events with the federal government underwriting rological data. Information from about 50 data collection 80% of the cost. In these times of environmental concern platforms at key locations along rivers, streams and other and building restrictions, non-structural flood protection bodies of water is relayed to a stationary satellite, which projects have the potential to protect life and property transmits this data by radio signal to the RCC. Engineers with minimal adverse environmental impacts. then examine and analyze this hydrologic information for The GOES network, or the New England Division Satellite System (NEDSA 7), plays a key role in helping the Corps reduceflood damage. About 50 data collection pla!forms (DCFs) are situated on various rivers and streams throughout thefive New England states (opposite page) where the Corps has dams and hurricane protection barriers. Hydrologic and me teorological datafrom these DCPs are relayed to a satellite stationed above the earth (right). The satellite f A' then transmits this information by radio signal to the Corps'Reservoir Control Center in Waltham, Massachusetts. The data tell Corps' engineers when to open or close thefloodgates of Corps'dams and hurricane protection barriers, thus limiting damage to communities down- owe, Q&*CIN stream.' The GOES system also provides the national weather maps displayed by local -.0,4MAW TV weathermen during theirforecasts. US Army Corps of Engineers INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY NEDSAT: A network of remote, data collection platforms (DCP's) in five major river basins, which report hydrologic data, such as water level and rainfall, from important index stations on rivers and streams. All DCP's show by dots on the map, sense water data and transmit VT it by radio to NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). It is relayed back to Earth, and Wells River NH is received at the satellite ground station at NED Headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. There it is used for 0 Woodstock timely and effective operation of flood control projects. Rumney e West Hartford Plymouth a West Lebanon Bristol eTilton N Franklin Jct 9 Henniker 9 9 River Hill North Walpole a e Concord Goffstown 9 . Goffs Falls Keene 0 Peterborougl@ *Souhegan East Pepperell West Deerfield Athol Lowell Montague City Barre Plains e MA New England Division 1.2.1 El Headquarters Gibbs Crossing * Westfield. Indian Orchard e Northbridge Webster Thompsonville Putnam CAPE Mad River Dam Simsbury Woons cket COD 0 9 0 BAY Hall Meadow *East Branch Willimantic Thomaston e 0 nartford 0 Northfield. Unionville Jewett Citv R Brook Black Rocko *Waterbury Stevenson -Hop Brook Beacon Falls IX CT ISL,4N,) SOUND New England Division Stamford LONG NEDSAT GOES Satellite Hydrologic Data Collection Network Connecticut 1991 Shore and Hurricane Protection The Corps work in shore protection began in 1930, when tion and maintenance. The New England Division has Congress directed it to study ways to reduce erosion along completed 36 streambank/shoreline protection projects in U.S. seacoasts and the Great Lakes. Corps of Engineers the region. hurricane protection work began in 1955, when Congress New England Division has been a pioneer in the con- directed it to conduct general investigations along the struction of hurricane protection barriers. NED has con- Atlantic and Gulf Coasts to identify problem areas and structed and operates hurricane barriers in Stamford, CT determine the feasibility of protection. and New Bedford, MA. Additionally NED has constructed While each situation the Corps studies requires differ- barriers in Providence, R.I.; Pawcatuck, CT; and New ent considerations, engineers look at each one with struc- London, CT. The local communities have assumed re- tural and non-structural solutions in mind. Engineering sponsibility for their operation and maintenance. feasibility and economic efficiency are considered along Section 145 of the Water Resources Development Act of with the environmental and social impacts. A recommen- 1976 authorizes placement of beach quality sand from our dation for Federal participation is normally based on shore dredging projects on adjacent beaches with local interests ownership, use and type and frequency of benefits if there picking up the additional costs of the disposal. Section 933 is no public use or benefit, Federal participation is not rec- of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 reduces ommended. Once a shore protection project is completed, this local cost share from 100 to 50 percent of additional non-Federal interests assume responsibility for its opera- costs. A, vl@ 'OP, This shore protection project at Oakland Beach in Warwick, Rhode Island, is a good example ofhow Corps'works help protect shores and restore beaches. Sand replenishment, which widened and restored the two beach areas on theJor lefl andfar right, slows the ocean's inland advance. Thefour groins maintain shore alignment by trapping and retaining sand. The stone revetment, in the center of the photograph between two groins, retar& erosion. A-A US Army Corps of Engineers Hydropower The Corps has played a significant role in meeting the plant is used by the Vermont Electric Cooperative or Nation's electric power generation needs by building and is sold to other utilities. operating hydropower plants in connection with its large Quechee, Vermont, 2.5 miles upstream of the North multiple-purpose dams. The Corps' involvement in hydro- Hartland Lake Dam and within the reservoir area. power generation began with the Rivers and Harbors Acts Built on Corps land, this plant produces 1.8 mega- of 1890 and 1899, which required the Secretary of War and watts. Power is sold to the Central Vermont Public the Corps of Engineers to approve the sites and plans for Service Corporation. all dams and to issue permits for their construction. The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1909 directed the Corps to con- Waterbuiy, Vermont, at the base of the dam at Water- sider various water uses, including water power, when sub- bury Reservoir. This facility generates approximately mitting preliminary reports on potential projects. 5.5 megawatts of power, which is used by the Green The Corps continues to consider the potential for hydro- Mountain Power Corporation. electric power development during the planning process Montpelier, Vermont, approximately 200 feet down- for all water resources projects involving dams and reser- stream of the dam at Wrightsville Reservoir. The voirs. In most instances, hydropower facilities at Corps plant has the capacity to produce 1.2 kilowatts of projects are now developed by non-Federal interests with- power, which is used by the Washington Electric out Federal assistance, but the Corps becomes involved Cooperative. with the planning, construction and operation of hydro- power projects when it is impractical for non-Federal in- Franklin, New Hampshire, on Salmon Brook. Built on terests to do so. Today, the more than 20,000 megawatts Corps land within the Franklin Falls reservoir, this of capacity at corps-operated power plants provide approx- facility produces 0.2 megawatts of power. Power is sold imately 30 percent of the Nation's hydroelectric power, or to the Public Service Company of New Hampshire. 3.5 percent of its total electric energy supply. Bristol, New Hampshire, on the Newfound River. This In New England, the Corps does not operate any hydro- plant produces 1.5 megawatts and lies on private electric power facilities, but there are eight hydroelectric property but within the Franklin Falls reservoir area. power plants at Corps flood control dams which are owned Power is sold to the Public Service Company of New and operated by nonfederal interests. These plants are Hampshire. located in: North Hartland, Vermont, about 500 feet downstream of Peterborough, New Hampshire, on Verney Mills Dam at Edward MacDowell Lake. This facility began produc- the North Hartland Lake Dam. This facility produces 4 megawatts of power. All power generated at this ing power in 1990. The power is sold to the Public Service Company of New Hampshire. 6, fro Although the Corps does not presently operate any IX hydroelectric powerplants in New England, there arefive hydropower plants located at Corps d *W1 floo r J, ontrolprojects in the region that are owned and operated by nonfederal interests. The North Hartland hydropowerfaciliy in North Hartland, Vermont, located 500feet downstream ofthe -1 fz, Corps-operated North Hartland Lake Dam is one suchfacili@. #@!@v Connecticut 1991 Colebrook, Connecticut, at the intake of the dam at Cole- more extensive environmental studies, namely the prepa- brook River Lake. This facility began producing power ration of environmental impact statements. In selecting in 1989. The 3.3 megawatts of power is sold to the alternative project designs, the Corps strives to choose Connecticut Light and Power Company. options with minimum environmental impact. New England Division is evaluating a prototype design Under Section 1135 of the Water Resources Develop- for installation of a vertical axis hydro turbine (VAHT) ment Act of 1986, the Corps is authorized to modify its which would harness the energies of the continual tidal existing projects-many of them built before current envi- ronmental requirements were in effect for environmental currents at the Cape Cod Canal. If installed, the energy improvement. Proposed modifications under this authority generated would offset the current electrical bill. This pro- range from use of dredged material to create nesting sites totype has widespread repercussions as it does not require for waterfowl to modification of water control structures to the costly superstructure of conventional submerged hydro turbines. improve downstream water quality for fisheries. Several of these proposals were specifically designed to help meet the goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Water Supply Plan. The Corps is working to select additional projects for modification. The Water Supply Act of 1958 authorized the Corps to provide additional storage in its reservoirs for municipal and industrial water supply at the request of local inter- ests, provided those interests agree to pay the cost. For irrigation, the Flood Control Act of 1944 provided that the Secretary of War, upon the recommendation of the Secre- tary of the Interior, may utilize Corps reservoirs, provided 11 "W that water users agree to repay the Government for the water in accordance with the 1902 Reclamation Law, as amended. Both Littleville and Colebrook Lakes have been *WN designed to provide backup water supplies to surrounding communities in times of severe droughts. Littleville Lake will serve communities in the Springfield, MA area, while V Colebrook Lake will serve communities in Northwestern Connecticut. Reservoir capacity can also be used for water quality arid strearnflow regulation, as authorized by the Federal Water Pollotion Control Act Amendments of 196 1. Ina Environmental Quality In conducting its Civil Works Programs, the Corps must comply with many environmental laws and executive orders and numerous regulations relating to the environ- ment. Consideration of the environmental impact of a Corps project begins in the early stages and continues through design, construction and operation of the project. The Corps must also comply with many of these environ- A beaverpipe allows water topass underneath a beaver dam, preventing the mental regulations in conducting its regulatory programs flooding of nearby roads and controlling the water level. This beaverpipe was constructed and installed at Suny Mountain Lake Dam in Suny, New (see next section). Hampshire. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is the national charter for the protection of the environ- ment, and its procedures ensure that public officials and private citizens may obtain and provide environmental information before Federal agencies make decisions con- cerning the environment. Corps of Engineers project plan- ning procedures under NEPA often point out the need for IV-rl US Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Programs The Corps of Engineers has regulatory authority over any considers all the relevant factors, including conservation, construction or other work in navigable waterways under economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, and historical values, wetland values, fish and wildlife values, authority over the discharge of dredged or fill material flood damage prevention, land use classifications, naviga- into the "waters of the United States" a term which in- tion, recreation, water supply, water quality, energy needs, cludes wetlands and all other aquatic areas under Section food production and the general welfare of the public. 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amend- The Corps of Engineers has issued a number of nation- ments of 1972 (PL 92-500, the "Clean Water Act") - wide general permits for minor activities which require lit- The Corps regulatory program is the principal way by tle or no individual review. Individual Corps districts have which the Federal government protects wetlands and other also issued regional permits for certain types of minor aquatic environments and ensures the continued naviga- work in specific areas. Corps districts have also issued bility of the Nation's waterways. The regulatory program5s State Program General Permits in States with comprehen- goal is to ensure protection of the aquatic environment sive wetland protection programs. These permits allow while allowing for environmentally sustainable develop- applicants to do work for which a State permit has been ment. issued. These general permits reduce delays and paper- The standard permit evaluation process includes a pub- work for applicants and allow the Corps to devote its lic notice with a public comment period and an opportuni- resources to the most significant cases while maintaining ty for a public hearing before the Corps makes a permit the environmental safeguards of the Clean Water Act. decision. In its evaluation of permit applications, the Corps A. 141 R, VS, Baker Cove in Groton, Connecticut, like many wetlands, supports numerous plant and animal species. Before building a proposedproject in a given area, the Corps looks closely at the effects such a project may have on the environment and surrounding wetlands. The Corps considers all options, including those that pre- clude development, infinding a solution to a water resources problem. Connecticut 1991 Recreation The Flood Control Act of 1944, as amended, provides authority to construct, maintain, and operate public park and recreational facilities at water resources development .17- 1 projects under the control of the Secretary of the Army and to permit the construction, maintenance, and opera- tion of such facilities. It also provides that the water areas of projects shall be open to public use - generally for boat- ing, fishing, and other recreational purposes. The Corps of Engineers today is one of the Federal government's largest providers of outdoor recreational opportunities, operating "N more than 2,000 sites at its lakes and other water resource projects, and receiving more than 600 million visits per year. The recreation opportunities attract 7.9 million visitors to New England Division projects per year. Of these, 3.9 million visitors utilize the flood control projects, while 4.0 million take advantage of various facilities of the Cape Cod Canal. There are many recreational opportunities available at the 35 dams and reservoirs built by the Corps'New England Division such as snowmobiling at Blackwater Dam in Webster, New Hampshire (right); andflyfishing at Townshend Lake Dam in Townshend, Vermont (below). A, US Army Corps of Engineers Emergency Response and Recovery Corps assistance for emergency/disaster response and pairs to essential public utilities and facilities and emer- recovery is provided under Public Law 84-99, covering gency access for a I 0-day period, at the request of the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies, or in support of Governor. other agencies, particularly the Federal Emergency Man- Under the Stafford Act and the Federal Disaster Re- agement Agency (FEMA) under Public Law 93-288 (the sponse Plan, the Corps of Engineers has a standing mis- Stafford Act), as amended. sion assignment to provide public works and engineering Under PL 84-99 the Chief of Engineers, acting for the support in response to a major disaster or catastrophic Secretary of the Army, is authorized to undertake activi- earthquake. Under this Plan, the Corps will work directly ties including disaster preparedness, advance measures, with the State in providing temporary repair and construc- emergency operations (e.g., flood fighting, rescue and tion of roads, bridges, and utilities, temporary shelter, emergency relief activities), rehabilitation of flood control debris removal and demolition, water supply, etc. works threatened or destroyed by flood, protection or In addition to its mission under the federal Disaster repair of Federally authorized shore protection works Response Plan, the Corps is one of the Federal agencies threatened or damaged by coastal storms, and providing tasked by FEMA to provide engineering, design, construc- emergency supplies of clean water in cases of drought or tion and contract management in support of recovery contaminated water supply. In post-flood response activi- operations. ties, the Corps provides temporary construction and re- 4, or 000#1 1 od@ Of 4 000 . 41; 4'@ 4 gKI r The Corps provided disaster relief assistance to residents of Chelsea, Massachusetts, zvhenfire destroyed 18 ciy blocks in October 1973. 40*1 Connecticut 1991 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS Connecticut 1991 m River Basins Flooding is caused by a combination of many factors re- Basin have Corps' Flood Damage Reduction projects with- lated to the underlying river basin. Corps' Flood Damage in their drainage areas. The following pages show where Reduction projects, such as dams and Local Protection these five river basins lie in the state and the location of Projects, are designed and constructed as part of an overall Corps'Flood Damage Reduction projects in the Connect- plan to limit flooding in a particular river basin. icut, Housatonic, Thames, and Pawcatuck River Basins. There are 19 principal river basins that lie entirely or partially in New England. Of this number, five lie in parts (Note., @fthe 13,366square miles in the Hudson RiverBasin, on@y of Connecticut the Connecticut, Housatonic, Thames, 36 square miles, or 0.3percent, lie in Connecticut). Pawcatuck, and Hudson. All except the Hudson River 1, 41% US Amy Corps of Eng1mers ST. JOHN Major River Basins In Now England PENOBSCOT ST. CROI KENNEBEC VT. 4#40 SACO PRESUMPSCOT PISCATAGUA CHARLES NEW YORK NEPONSET TAUNTON THAMES ATLANTIC C* OCEAN BLACKSTONE CO /ST PAWCATUCK Connecticut 1991 Connecticut River Basin The Connecticut River Basin, one of the largest river basins in New England, stretches from southern Quebec to Longs Island Sound, off the Connecticut coast. Of the 11,250 square miles in the basin, 1436 square miles, or about 13 percent, lie in Connecticut; 3928 square miles, or 35 percent, lie in Vermont; 3046 square miles, or about 27 percent, lie in New Hampshire; and 2726 square miles, or 24 percent, lie in Massachusetts. About 114 square miles (one percent) are located in Quebec. The Connecticut River Basin has a total length of 280 miles and a maximum width of 60 miles. In Connecticut, it occupies most of Hartford and Middlesex Counties and minor portions of Tolland, LItchfield, New London, and New Haven Counties. US Army Corps of Engineers Housatonic River Basin The Housatonic River Basin lies principally in western Connecticut and southwestern Massachusetts. Two small sectoins extend into southeastern New York. The basin in 98 miles long with a maximum width of 35 miles. It comprises an area of 1950 square miles, 1232 (63 percent) of which lie in Connecticut, 500 (26 percent) in Massachu- setts, and 218 (11 percent) in New York. In Connecticut, the Housatonic River Basin covers most of Litchfield County, the southwest corner of Hartford County, the north and east sections of Fairfield County, and the western third of New Haven County. SCALE IN MILES Connecticut 1991 Thames River Basin The Thames River Basin lies mostly in the eastern third of Connecticut, with small sectoins extending into southern Massachusetts and northwestern Rhode Island. The basin comprises an area of 1474 square miles. Of this, 1162 square miles (75 percent) lie in Connecticut, 251 (20 percent) lie in Rhode Island. The Thames River Basin is 67 miles long with a maximum width of 38 miles. In Connecticut, it covers all of Windham County and the eastern two-thirds of Tolland and New London Counties. US Army Corps of Engineers 28 Pawcatuck River Basin The Pawcatuck River Basin lies prinipally in the southwester corner of Rhode Island. Two small portions are located in southeastern Connecticut. The basin extends over an area of 303 square miles, 246 (81 percent) of which lie in Rhode Island and 57 (19 percent) in Connecticut. It covers parts of the New London and Windham Counties in Connecticut and part of Washington County and most of Kent County in Rhode Island. It is 22 miles long with a maximum width of 22 miles. The Pawcatuck River Basin contains a vast amount of wetland, which absorbs potentially damaging floodwaters from rivers and streams. Connecticut 1991 29 Flood Damage Reduction The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has constructed respective hurricane protection barrier, except for the nav- dams and reservoirs, hurricane protection barriers, and igation gates at the Stamford barrier, which are operated local protection projects to reduce flooding damages in by the Corps. Connecticut. The Corps has also completed 14 other flood damage The 12 Corps-built dams in Connecticut protect wide reduction projects in Connecticut at a cost of $119.8 mil- regions of the state. Costing an aggregate total of $79.1 lion. It is estimated that these works, more commonly re- million to construct, they have prevented flood damages ferred to as local protection projects because they provide estimated at $411.7 million (as of September. 1990) while flood protection to specific communities rather than wide also offering the public a variety of recreational opportuni- areas of a state, have prevented about $532.7 million in ties. The Corps owns and operates eight of the dams, while flood damages. They are operated and maintained by the four are operated and maintained by the state. respective cities and towns. Three hurricane protection barriers constructed by the The following pages give a brief history and description Corps' New England Division in the state dissipate hurri- of the flood damage reduction projects constructed by the cane tides and protect the shoreline from coastal storm Corps in Connecticut. Figures given for damages prevented flooding. Costing a total of $27.3 million to build, the bar- by each flood control project are estimated through riers have prevented flood damages estimated at $6.7 mil- September 1990. lion. The local communities operate and maintain their TOWER CONTROL ROOM STONE SLOPE PROTECTION 0'. C3, ----------- 0 0J C3 PERVIOUS- FILL IMPERVIOUSiz z IMPERVIOUSi CD. - ----- SAND'AND.GkAVEL) -0 C, ........... )RE ........... @3 40 z ............ .............. Iz? R? CD STORAGE .. CONCRETE----- CONDUIT GAT\ CHAMBER BEDROCK SAND DRAIN CONDUIT (SAND, SILT AND CLAY) TYPICAL CROSS SECTION OF AN EARTHFILL DAM haL US Army Corps of Engineers Flood Damage Reduction Projects in Connecticut Dams and Reservoirs Black Rock Lake in Thomaston and Watertown Colebrook River Lake in Colebrook East Branch Dam in Torrington Hall Meadow Brook Dam in Torrington Hancock Brook Lake in Plymouth Hop Brook Lake in Naugatuck, Middlebury, and Waterbury Mad River Lake in Winchester Mansfield Hollow Lake in Mansfield and Windham Northfield Brook Lake in Thomaston and Litchfield Sucker Brook Dam in Winchester Thomaston Dam in Thomaston West Thompson Lake m Thompson Hurricane Protection Barriers New London Pawcatuck Stamford Local Protection Projects Ansonia Byram River, Greenwich Danbury Derby East Hartford Folly Brook, Wethersfield Hartford North Canaan Norwalk Norwich Torrington - East Branch Torrington - West Branch Waterbury/Watertown Winsted Connecticut 1991 r!7' ... 7, area of 20.4 square miles. Black Rock Lake is stocked with trout by the state of Connecticut. The lake also offers bass, pickerel, perch, horned pout, and bluegills. Reservoir lands offer the pub- lic opportunities for hunting (pheasant is stocked by the state), hiking, canoeing, and cross-country skiing. An over- look area is provided at the top of the dam. Black Rock State Park, operated and owned by the state of Connecticut and lying adjacent to the dam, offers swim- Ming, picnicking, camping, and sanitary facilities. Colebrook River Lake The dam at Colebrook River Lake is located on the west branch of the Farmington River in Colebrook, approxi mately two miles south of the Massachusetts state line. 0 From Winsted, it is six miles north on Route 8. w The Colebrook River Lake Dam has substantially re- 'e duced flooding along the main stem and West Branch of the Farmington River and downstream flooding along the Connecticut River. Since its construction, the dam has pre- vented $32.9 million in flood damages. It is a multipurpose reservoir, suppl ing water for the Hartford Metropolitan Yi District and supporting downstream fishery habitat in ad- --Lion to its flood control function. Black Rock Lake The Colebrook River Lake Dam is one of three flood con- trol dams (Mad River and Sucker Brook dams being the others) that were constructed as a result of major flooding Black Rock Lake The dam at Black Rock Lake is located adjacent to Black Rock State Park along the Thomas ton-Watertown line. The reservoir is on Route 109, two miles west of Thomaston and within one mile of the intersection of Route 8 and U.S. Route 6. The project consists of an carthfill dam with stone slope protection 933 feet long and 154 feet high; a gated 704-foot-long circular concrete conduit four feet wide and @Ipg five feet high; and a concrete chute spillway channel with a 140-foot-long weir. The weir's crest elevation is 20 feet lower than the top of the dam. Project construction started injuly 1967 and was completed injuly 197 1. About 1.9 lot miles of Route 109 were relocated to accommodate the pro- ject. The cost of construction was $8.2 million. Black Rock Lake Dam has prevented flood damages of $58.5 million in downstream communities on the Nauga- tuck River and lower Housatonic River. Black Rock Lake contains a 2 1 -acre recreation pool that has a depth of 27 feet. The flood storage area of the pro- ject, which is normally empty and is utilized only to store floodwaters, stretches out over 190 acres in both Thomas- ton and Watertown. Together, the lake and associated lands total 319 acres. Black Rock Lake can store up to 2.83 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to eight inches of water covering its drainage Colebrook River Lake US Army Corps of Engineers from Hurricane Diane that devastated Connecticut in Aug- ust 1955 (see page 10). Construction of the dam at Cole- brook River Lake started in May 1965 and was completed injune 1969, costing $14.3 million. The town of Colebrook _q was completely relocated, as was Dubois Cemetery in San- disfield, Massachusetts, and portions of Route 8 (3.5 miles in Connecticut and 3.4 miles in Massachusetts). The project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 1300 feet long and 223 feet high; an carthfill dike 1240 feet long and 54 feet high; a gated circular out- let tunnel edged in rock 774 feet long and 10 feet in diam- eter; and a chute spillway cut in rock with a 205-foot-long concrete weir. The weir's crest elevation is 29 feet lower than the top of the dam. The amount of water stored at Colebrook River Lake can fluctuate substantially. The pool, used for both water supply and fishery habitat, normally covers an area of about 750 acres. When filled to capacity with floodwaters, however, the pool covers 1185 acres. Together, the lake 5 41 and associated lands stretch out over 1618 acres in Cole- brook and the Massachusetts towns of Sandisfield and Tolland. Colebrook River Lake can store up to 16.56 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equiva- lent to eight inches of water covering its drainage area of 118 square miles. '46 A hydroelectric power facility at Colebrook River Lake, East Branch Dam developed by the Metropolitan District of Hartford, began generating electricity in 1989. The 3.3 megawatts of power is sold to the Connecticut Light and Power Company. Colebrook River Lake offers lake fishing and one mile of in damage was prevented during the heavy rains of April stream fishing. The fish and game agencies of Connecticut 1987. and Massachusetts stock trout and salmon to complement Construction of the dam began in March 1963 and was the native bass, pickerel, perch, horned pout, and bluegill. completed injune 1964. A 1.5-mile section of town road Reservoir waters are open to licensed fishermen under the was relocated. Following completion, the project and asso- regulations established by the Connecticut Department of ciated lands were transferred to the state of Connecticut Environmental Protection. A large boat launching ramp, a for operation and maintenance. Construction costs totaled boat landing area, and sanitary and parking facilities are $3.3 million. also available. There is no lake at East Branch Dam. The flood storage area of the project, which is normally empty and is only utilized to store floodwaters, covers 158 acres. East Branch East Branch Dam Dam can store up to 1.42 billion gallons of water for flood East Branch Dam is located in Torrington on the East control purposes. This is equivalent to 8.9 inches of water Branch of the Naugatuck River. From Torrington Center, covering its drainage area of 9.3 square miles. it can be reached travelling one mile north on Main Street, The state stocks the East Branch of the Naugatuck then two miles west on Newfield Street. The project con- River with brook and brown trout. A recreation area oper- ated by the City of Torrington offers bow hunting for deer sists of an carthfill dam 700 feet long and 92 feet high; an and small game. Park lands are used by several groups, ungated circular concrete conduit 450 feet long and three including a radio controlled airplane club. feet in diameter; and a chute spillway edged in rock with a 100-foot-long concrete weir. The weir's crest elevation is 16 feet lower than the top of the dam. Hall Meadow Brook Dam The dam impounds the floodwaters of the East Branch of the Naugatuck River, providing protection to Torrington. Hall Meadow Brook Dam is located in Torrington on Hall It operates in conjunction with the Hall Meadow Brook Meadow Brook. It is situated west of Torrington on Route Dam and the two local protection projects in Torrington. 4, then north on Route 272 for about six miles. The project The East Branch Dam has prevented $10.5 million of flood includes an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 73 damage since its construction. Of that amount, $6.3 million feet high and 1200 feet long across Hall Meadow Brook; a Connecticut 1991 control purposes. This is equivalent to 9.4 inches of water covering its drainage area of 17.2 square miles. voir area is operated and managed by the state The reser asJohn Minetto State Park. It offers picnic tables and a I shelter, fireplaces, drinking water, and parking and picnic sanitary facilities. An open field is available for group activities, such as volleyball, softball, touch football, and c ss-country skiing. In addition, the state has built a two- ro acre pond that offers swimming. Rainbow, brown, and & brook trout fishing is available. Waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, and stocked pheasant may be hunted in season. Hancock Brook Lake 4 ;t The dam at Hancock Brook Lake is located in Plymouth on Hancock Brook, a tributary of the Naugatuck River. It 9 is situated about 4.5 miles north of Waterbury. From Ply- mouth, it can be reached by taking Route 262 west to Graystone Road. The project stores floodwaters to reduce flood damages on the Naugatuck River and the lower Housatonic River. Since its construction, it has prevented damages of $27.2 million. Construction began injuly 1963 and was completed in September 1966. The total cost was $4.2 million. Project Hall Meadow Brook Dam construction required the relocation of 1.3 miles of town roads and about two miles of railroad track. 315-foot ungated circular concrete conduit four feet in diameter; and a chute spillway edged in rock with a con- crete weir 100 feet long. The weir's crest elevation is 19 feet lower than the top of the dam. There is also a 1200-foot diversion canal that directs floodwaters from the Reuben Hart Water Supply Reservoir to the Hall Meadow Brook Reservoir. The Reuben Hart Water Supply Reservoir is owned and operated by the Torrington Water Company. In conjunction with the East Branch Dam and the two local protection projects in Torrington, the Hall Meadow Brook Dam provides flood protection to the upper Nauga- tuck Valley communities of Torrington, Harwinton, and Litchfield. Torrington was one of the communities hardest hit by the August 1955 flood, which took eight lives and caused damages of $22 million in Torrington alone. Since its construction, East Branch Dam has prevented flood damages of $9.6 million, including $4.9 million during the _01 heavy rains of April 1987. Construction of the dam was started in March 1961 and finished injune 1962. Upon completion, the project was transferred to the state of Connecticut for operation and maintenance. The project required relocation of 2.2 miles of Route 72. Construction costs totaled $3.1 million. < There is no lake at Hall Meadow Brook Dam. The flood storage area of the project, which is normally empty and is .71 utilized only to store floodwaters, covers 372 acres and fe extends for 2.9 miles into Goshen. Hall Meadow Brook 10 Dam can store up to 2.81 billion gallons of water for flood Hancock Brook Lake US Army Corps of Engineers The project consists of an carthfill dam with stone slope The project has substantially reduced flooding along the protection 630 feet long and 57 feet high; a 2300-foot-long Naugatuck River and lower Housatonic River, preventing earthfill dike with a maximum height of 35 feet along the damages of $30.2 million. relocated railroad track; an ungated 250 foot-long rectan- Construction of the dam commenced in December 1965 gular concrete conduit three feet wide and four feet six and was completed in December 1968, costing $6.2 million. inches high; and a chute spillway cut in rock with a con- The relocation of 1.8 miles of Route 63 was required. crete weir 100 feet long. The weir's crest elevation is 21 Hop Brook Lake contains a 2 1 -acre recreation pool that feet lower than the top of the dam. Maintenance of the has a maximum depth of 18 feet. The flood storage area of dike is the responsibility of the railroad company. the project, which is normally empty and is only utilized to Hancock Brook Lake contains a 40-acre conservation store floodwaters, is 1.5 miles long and spreads out over pool that has a maximum depth of six feet. The flood stor- 270 acres. The project and associated lands total 553 acres age area of the project, which is normally empty and is uti- throughout Naugatuck, Middlebury, and Waterbury. Hop lized only to store floodwaters, totals 266 acres. The lake and associated lands cover 721 acres, of which 60 percent, are wooded. When combined with adjoining state forest lands, over 2500 acres are available to the public. Hancock Vt Brook Lake can store up to 1.27 billion gallons of water for VN_ flood control purposes. This is equivalent to 6.3 inches of water covering its drainage area of 12 square miles. The lake contains bass and perch, and the state admin- isters a trout stocking program. Stocked pheasant and native small game may be hunted in season. Reservoir lands also offer the public opportunities for hiking, canoe- ing, and cross-country skiing. Hop Brook Lake Hop Brook Lake is spread over three communities: Nauga- tuck, Middlebury, and Waterbury. The dam is situated on Hop Brook in Naugatuck. It can be reached by travelling E three miles north on Route 63 from the center of Nauga- tuck. The project includes an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 520 feet long and 97 feet high; an earthfill dike measuring 400 feet long and 33 feet high; a gated rectangular 425-foot-long concrete conduit three feet wide and five feet high; and a chute spillway edged in rock with a 200-foot-long broad-crested weir. The weir's crest eleva- Hop Brook Lake tion is 17 feet lower than the top of the dam. IF Avow_ - 4 7 - -7,= V., @A-%, 04V Mad River Lake Connecticut 1991 Brook Lake can store up to 2.23 billion gallons of water for - - ---- AR flood control purposes. This is equivalent to eight inches of water covering its drainage area of 16.4 square miles. Hop Brook Lake contains largemouth bass and panfish. The state stocks both the lake and its feeder streams with X trout. Recreational development of the reservoir includes picnic sites and a picnic shelter, walking trails, a beach, ball field, drinking water, and sanitary and parking facil- ities. Visitors can also enjoy canoeing. Mad River Lake The dam at Mad River Lake is located on the Mad River in Winchester. From Winsted, it is two miles west on U.S. 44. The project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protection 940 feet long and 178 feet high; an earthfill dike with stone slope protection 2340 feet long and 60 feet high; a 923-foot-long ungated circular concrete conduit with a diameter of three feet nine inches; and a concrete chute spillway with a 340-foot-long concrete weir. The weir's crest elevation is 13 feet lower than the top of the dam. In conjunction with Sucker Brook Dam, Mad River Dam reduces flooding on the Mad and Still Rivers. It has pre- vented flood damages of $2.6 million since its construction. The project started injune 1961 and was completed in June 1963. The relocation of 2.3 miles of Route 44 was Mansfield Hollow Lake required. Following completion, the project and associated lands were transferred to the state of Connecticut for operation and maintenance. Construction costs totaled five gated rectangular conduits five feet six inches wide $5.4 million. and seven feet high that vary in length up to 26 feet. Mad River Lake is a 10-acre recreation pool with a max- The project provides substantial flood protection for the imum depth of 17 feet. The flood storage area of the pro- Shetucket River communities of Norwich, South Wind- ject, which is normally empty and is utilized only to store ham, Baltic, Occum, Taftville, and Willimantic. It has pre- floodwaters, totals 188 acres. Mad River Lake can store up vented damages of $34 million. to 3.1 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. Construction of the dam began in 1949 and was com- This is equivalent to 10 inches of water covering its drain- pleted in May 1952. The cost of the project was $6.5 million. age area of 18.2 square miles. The lake at Mansfield Hollow stretches over 450 acres The state stocks trout in both the lake and the Mad through Mansfield, Windham, and Chaplin. It has a maxi- River. Pheasant is stocked on the adjacent lands. Partridge mum depth of 16.5 feet. The flood storage area of the pro- and other small game hunting is also available. ject, which is normally empty and is only utilized to store floodwaters, totals 1880 acres and extends about three miles up the Natchaug River, 2.3 miles up the Mount Mansfield Hollow Lake Hope River, and 3.2 miles up the Fenton River. The pro- ject and associated lands cover 2581 acres. Mansfield Mansfield Hollow Lake lies within the boundaries of Mans- Hollow Lake can store up to 8.3 billion gallons of water for field and Windham, 25 miles east of Hartford. The dam- flood control purposes. This is equivalent to 6.1 inches of site is located on the Natchaug River. From Hartford, water covering its drainage area of 159 square miles. Mansfield Hollow Lake can be reached by taking Inter- The state of Connecticut manages Mansfield Hollow state 84 to Route 195 north. The dam consists of earthfill Lake, which is becoming an increasingly popular recrea- with stone slope protection. It has a length of 14,050 feet tional attraction. On a graceful, pine-covered bluff over- and a height of 68 feet. The project also consists of six looking the broad expanse of water, picnic tables and fire- earthfill dikes with stone slope protection that total 2656 places for both families and large groups are available. feet in length and have a maximum height of 53 feet. A Many acres of open field lie adjacent to the bluff and may concrete spillway spans the main channel of the Natchaug be used for softball, touch football, volleyball, and other River with a concrete weir 690 feet long. The weir's eleva- team sports and group activites. A 4.5-mile walking/cross- tion is 16 feet lower than the top of the dam. There are country skiing trail leads through former pastures and the US Army Corps of Engineers stone foundation remnants of former homesteads. The Nipmuck Tribe. Other park facilities include a boat ramp, persistent hiker may find evidence of habitation by the drinking water, and parking and sanitary areas. The take provides excellent boating for sailboats, canoes, and small power boats. Fishermen can expect to find trout, bass, horned pout, and perch. In-season hunting of pheas- ant,,quail, partridge, and small game animals is also per- mitted. Guests at Mansfield Hollow Lake may wish to visit the village of Mansfield Hollow, located adjacent to the dam. This area has been designated a State Historic District and placed on the National Registe r of Historic Places in recognition of its unique characterization of a 19th century rural village. Northfield Brook Lake Northfield Brook Lake lies within the boundaries of Thomaston and Litchfield, with the damsite situated in Thomaston. The reservoir is two miles west of Thomaston on Route 254. The project consists of an carthfill dam with stone slope protection 8 10 feet long and 118 feet high; a 544-foot-long gated circular concrete conduit with a diame- ter of three feet; and a chute spillway edged in rock with a concrete weir 72 feet long. The weir's crest elevation is 15 SuckerBrookDam feet lower than the top of the dam. The project stores Northfield Brook floodwaters and helps to lower flood stages in downstream communities along the Naugatuck River. Since its construction, the dam kll has prevented damages of $14.4 million. V Construction of the dam began in May 1963 and was com-- 01 pleted in October 1965. Approximately 1.8 miles of highway 4 was relocated. The cost of the project was $2.9 million. Northfield Brook Lake contains an seven-acre recreation pool that has a maximum depth of 19.5 feet. The flood storage area of the project, which is normally empty and is utilized only to store floodwaters, covers about 67 acres and extends 1.25 miles. The project and associated lands '*a total 235 acres. Northfield Brook Lake can store up to 792 million gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to eight inches of water covering its drainage .0 area of 5.7 square miles. The dam is situated in a scenic area adjacent to the high- ly industrialized Naugatuck Valley, where public recre- ational facilities are at a premium. Trout is stocked in the q,-Og, lake, and the grounds contain picnic tables and shelters, fireplaces, a beach, hiking trail, change house, and parking and sanitary facilities. Drinking water is also available. Sucker Brook Dam Sucker Brook Dam is located in Winchester, about two miles southwest of Winsted. From Winsted, visitors travel Northfield Brook Lake Connecticut 1991 south on Route 263 to signs for Highland State Park. The project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protec- A tion 1160 feet long and 68 feet high; an ungated rectangu- lar concrete conduit 426 feet long measuring three feet wide and three feet high; and a concrete chute spillway with a 60-foot-long concrete weir. The weir's crest cleva- tion is 14 feet lower than the top of the dam. The project provides flood protection for Winchester and Winsted. It acts in conjunction with the dam at Mad River Lake to reduce downstream flooding along the Mad and Still Rivers, and with the dam at Colebrook River Lake to reduce flooding along the Farmington River. Sucker Brook Dam has prevented damages of $113,000, V including $76,000 during the heavy rains of April 1987. Construction, which began in September 1966 and was completed injune 1971, required the relocation of about 1300 feet of Sucker Brook Road. Dam costs totalled $2.3 million. The state of Connecticut is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the project. There is no lake at Sucker Brook Dam. The flood stor- age area of the project, which is normally empty and is only utilized to store floodwaters, covers 53 acres. Sucker A Brook Dam can store up to 482 million gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to 8. i inches of water covering its drainage area of 3.4 square miles. Hunters will find small game, such as rabbits and par- ThomaOon Dam tridge, and stocked pheasant. can store up to 13.69 billion gallons of water for flood con- Thomaston Dam trol purposes. This is equivalent to 8.1 inches of water cov- Thomaston Dam is located in Thomaston on the Nauga- ering its drainage area of 97.2 square miles. tuck River, the major tributary of the Housatonic River. It There is a 60-mile trail system for snowmobiles and two- is about one mile north of Thomaston on Route 222. The wheel trail bikes on the Thomaston Dam lands. Fishing project consists of an earthfill dam with stone slope protec- enthusiasts will find that Leadmine Brook, a tributary of tion 142 feet high and 2000 feet long; a gated 455-foot the Naugatuck River that flows near the dam, is stocked horseshoe shaped concrete conduit 10 feet in diameter; with brown, brook, and rainbow trout. In-season hunting and a side channel spillway edged in rock with a 435-foot- for stocked pheasant and native small game is permitted. long concrete weir. The weir's crest elevation is 23 feet Overlook and picnic areas offer an excellent view of the lower than the top of the dam. dam and portions of the Naugatuck River Valley. Fireplaces Thomaston Dam provides flood protection in the highly and parking and sanitary facilities are also. available. industrialized and densely populated Naugatuck Valley. It is the largest and most important flood control dam in West Thompson Lake the Naugatuck River system, and has prevented damages of $213.6 million in Thomaston, Waterbury, Naugatuck, The dam at West Thompson Lake is located in Thompson Beacon Falls, Seymour, Ansonia, and Derby. on the Quinebaug River, about 1000 feet upstream from Construction started in May 1958 and was completed in the junction of the Quinebaug and French Rivers. It is November 1960. The work required relocation of portions three miles north of Putnam on Route 12. The project con- of Routes 8 and 222 (Blakeman Road), several town roads, sists of an carthfill dam with stone slope protection 2550 and a portion of the Devon Branch of the Conrail railroad. feet long and 70 feet high; an carthfill dike with stone Project costs were $14.3 million. slope protection measuring 1650 feet long and 30 feet There is no lake at the Thomaston Dam. The flood stor- high; a gated horseshoe shaped concrete conduit 254 feet age area of the project, which is normally empty and is long and 12 feet in diameter; and a side channel concrete only utilized to store floodwaters, covers 960 acres. The chute spillway with a 320-foot-long L-shaped concrete weir. project and associated lands total 1436 acres, of which The weir's crest elevation is 19 feet lower than the top of 1000 are wooded. These lands extend into the towns of the dam. Litchfield, Harwinton, and Plymouth. Thomaston Dam US Army Corps of Engineers The project has prevented flood damages of $12.3 mil- lion in Putnam and other downstream areas along the Quinebaug River. Construction started in August 1963 and was completed in October 1965. The relocation of 3.3 miles of town roads was required. The cost of the project was $7 million. West Thompson Lake contains a 200-acre conservation pool that has a maximum depth of 13 feet. The flood stor- age area of the project, which is normally empty and is only utilized to store floodwaters, totals 1250 acres and extends seven miles upstream. The project and associated 0 lands cover 2033 acres in both Thompson and Dudley, Massachusetts. West Thompson Lake can store up to 8.34 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to 6.5 inches of water covering its drainage area of 173.5 square miles. Reservoir lands support a variety of recreational activi- ties. Facilities include a picnic area and shelter, boat ramp, nature trail, fireplaces, hot showers, drinking water, an "A amphitheater for weekend campfire programs, and parking and sanitary facilities. One of the main features of West Thompson Lake is a rustic camping area with 22 camp sites, two Adirondack shelters, and a trailer sanitary dis- posal station. Reservoir lands are also available for snow- mobiling and cross-country skiing. West Thompson Lake offers an excellent spot for hunt- West Thompson Lake ing and fishing in the scenic upper Quinebaug Valley. The lake contains bass, perch, pickerel, and horned pout. North- ern pike, which have been moving down the Quinebaug River, may also be found. In-season hunting of pheasant, quail, partridge, and small game animals is available. Connecticut 1991 HURRICANE PROTECTION BARRIERS New London Pawcatuck Stamford Connecticut 1991 M T 6 00 M__@ - V % The New London Hurricane Protection Barrier New London ments that have a total length of 925 feet; a gated 1800- foot-long concrete conduit eight feet in diameter that in- The New London Hurricane Protection Barrier is located tercepts flows from Truman Brook and discharges into along the New London waterfront at Shaw Cove on the Shaw Cove; and a pumping station that discharges flows Thames River. It is about 45 miles southeast of Hartford, through the dike during unusually high tides. The project New London suffered damaging floods from hurricanes also included the construction of a raised railroad embank- in 1938, 1944, 1954, and 1960. Damages from 1954's Hur- ment; the dredging of Shaw Cove; and the demolition of ricane Carol amounted to $3.8 million, of which $2.4 mil- waterfront structures. lion could have been prevented if a hurricane protection barrier had existed. The barrier today protects about 173 acres of industrial and commercial areas in the vicinity of Pawcatuck Shaw Cove from hurricane and severe coastal storm flood- The Pawcatuck Hurricane Protection Barrier is located in ing, and safeguards against interior flooding caused by the Pawcatuck section of Stonington on the west bank of overflows from Truman Brook. In the relatively short time the Pawcatuck River. since its completion, the New London Hurrricane Pro- Like other Connecticut coastal communities, Pawcatuck tection Barrier has already prevented flood damages of has suffered serious flooding from hurricanes in 1938, 1944, $25,000. In'a recurrence of the hurricane of 1938, the 1954, and 1960, as well as other severe coastal storms. Hur- barrier would prevent an estimated $11.5 million in flood ricane Carol of 1954 caused damages estimated at $1.09 damage. million, of which about $85 1,000 could have been prevented Construction started in August 1978 and was completed if a hurricane protection barrier had existed at that time. in.May 1986, costing $12 million. The relocation of elec- Today, the barrier protects 34 acres of highly industrialized tric, water, sewer, telephone, and drainage lines were re- quired. The barrier is operated and maintained by the city. land from tidal surges. The project consists of an earthfill dike with stone slope Construction began 1962, and was completed in September 1963. The cost of the project was $859,000. Op- protection approximately 715 feet long with a maximum eration and maintenance is the responsibility of Stonington. elevation of 14.5 feet; a concrete floodwall about 800 feet The project consists of 1915 feet of earthfill dike and long with a maximum elevation of 14.5 feet; two revet- 940 feet of concrete wall, both with an elevation of 17 feet; US Army Corps of Engineers two vehicular gates; and a pumping station. The project operates and maintains the Stamford Hurricane Protec- protection begins 0.7 mile south of the U.S. Route I Bridge tion Barrier, with the exception of the navigation gates, and extends 2200 feet northward along the west bank of which are operated and maintained by the Corps. the river. The project consists of three elements. The first, a bar- rier at the east branch of Stamford Harbor, is composed of a 2850-foot-long earthfill dike with stone slope protec- Stamford tion. It has an elevation of 17 feet. A 90-foot-wide opening The Stamford Hurricane Protection Barrier is located in is provided for navigation, and a pump station discharges Stamford on Stamford Harbor, about 20 miles southwest interior drainage. of Bridgeport. The second element is a barrier that provides protection Stamford has been subject to heavy losses from storm at the west branch of the harbor. This barrier, which has tidal flooding since 1635. The September 1938 hurricane an elevation of 17 feet, is composed of a 1350-foot-long resulted in losses in the project area of almost $6 million. concrete wall; 2950 feet of earthfill dike with stone slope Hurricane Carol in 1954 caused $3.4 million in damage, protection; and a pumping station. of which $2.9 million could have been prevented if a hurri- The third portion provides protection at Westcott Cove. cane barrier had existed at that time. The barrier today This barrier is a 4400-foot earthfill dike with stone slope provides protection to about 600 acres, which includes protection having a maximum elevation of 19 feet. It also principal manufacturing plants, a portion of the main has two pumping stations. commercial district, and residential sections. Since its completion, the barrier has prevented damages of $7.1 million from hurricanes and other severe coastal storms. Construction of this project started in May 1965 and ended injanuary 1969, costing $14.5 million. The city A I0@ ro, The Pawcatuck Hurricane Protection Barrier The Stamford Hurricane Protection Barrier Connecticut 1991 LOCAL PROTECTION PROJECTS Ansonia Byram River, Greenwich Danbury Derby East Hartford Folly Brook, Wethersfield Hartford North Canaan Norwalk Norwich Torrington - East Branch Torrington - West Branch Waterbury/Watertown Winsted Connecticut 1991 Byrarn River, Greenwich The Byram River Local Protection Project is located on the Byram River in the Pemberwick section of Greenwich, about one mile upstream of U.S. Route 1. It protects 25 acres of residential and industrial developments and has prevented flood damages of $80,000. Construction of the project, built by the Corps' North 4' Atlantic Division, started injuly 1959 and was completed T in August 196 1, costing $407,000. Ellin Drive was relo- cated to accommodate construction. The Byram River project is a small project, built under Section 205 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. It is operated and maintained by Greenwich. The project widened, deepened, and realigned about k, 2400 feet of the Byram River channel. In addition, carthfill dikes were constructed on either side of the river channel 1300 feet on the right bank and 950 feet on the left bank. Danbury The Danbury Local Protection Project is located along the Still River in Danbury, immediately downstream of the city's central business district. It provides protection to 90 acres of industrial, commercial, and residential land. It has The Ansonia Local Protection Project cost $20.2 million to construct and prevented flood damages of $2.1 million. has already preventedflood damages of $37.4 million. ----------- - ---- ----- Ansonia Jw The Ansonia Local Protection Project is located along the Naugatuck River and Beaver Brook in southwestern An- Sonia and along the Naugatuck River in northwestern Derby. It provides substantial protection for 440 acres of highly developed industrial, commercial, and residential land in Ansonia and Derby. Since its construction, it has prevented flood damages of $39.4 milli ion. Construction started in October 1968 and was com- pleted injanuary 1973. The cost of the project was $20.2 million. It is operated and maintained by Ansonia. About 10,400 feet of carthfill dikes and 5600 feet of con- crete floodwall constitute the major portion of the project. The works lie along the east bank of the river from Maple Street to the mouth of Beaver Brook, along both banks of Beaver Brook near its mouth, along both banks above Maple Street, and along the west bank in the vicinity of Division Street. Four pumping stations are provided to han- dle storm drainage and sanitary sewage. Work also in- eluded the widening and straightening of 13,000 feet of river channel; the construction of a 1400-foot conduit along Beaver Brook; and the construction of five swing gates that allow the passage of railroad and vehicular traffic. The Byram River Local Protection Project included widening, deepening, and realigning 2400feet of the Byram River channel. US Army Corps of Engineers S '*i A. , - , T -Olt 4 A 1@ AA elt -c' V Usk 4 L "g, V, POP 1 All i- 11 iww& - . , I The Danbug Local Protection Project (in center ofphoto) safeguards 90 The Derby Local Protection Project involved the widening of the Naugatuck acres ofindustrial, commercial, atid residential land. River channel and the construction ofearthfill dikes, shown on the river's right bank in the above photo. Project construction began injune 1974 and ended in Ansonia Local Protection Project to the Route 34 Bridge. November 1976, costing $14.3 million. Upon completion, it The system includes four floodgates at railroad crossings was transferred to Danbury for operation and maintenance. and a pumping station near the confluence of the two The project consists of 3625 feet of concrete conduit and rivers to handle storm drainage. Construction also in- 2695 feet of enlarged and realigned Still River channel. cluded the widening of the Naugatuck River channel im- Work also required rebuilding four railroad bridges; con- mediately upstream of the Route 34 Bridge. structing two highway bridges; and removing a privately owned bridge. East Hartford Derby The East Hartford Local Protection Project is located along the cast bank of the Connecticut River and the The Derby Local Protection Project is located at the junc- north bank of the Hockanum River in East Hartford. It tion of the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers in Derby. It provides protection for about 760 acres of residential, provides substantial protection to about 70 acres of highly commercial, industrial, and public property in East Hart- developed industrial, residential, and commercial proper- ford. It has prevented flood damages of $170.4 million. ty. It has prevented flood damages of $6.7 million, includ- Construction started in December 1938 and was com- ing $2.4 million from the heavy rains of April 1987. pleted injuly 1943, costing $2.4 million. The project is Construction of the project began in May 1970 and was operated and maintained by East Hartford. completed injune 1973, costing $8.6 million. Upon com- There are about 19,500 feet of carthfill dikes and 750 pletion, it was transferred to Derby for operation and feet of concrete floodwalls along the Connecticut and Hock- maintainance. anurn Rivers, extending from the high ground near Greene The project consists of earthfill dikes and concrete flood- Terrace in the north to high ground at Brewer Lane and walls along the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers. Central Avenue in the south. There are two stoplog struc- Protection along the Houstonic River starts in the vicinity tures, one each at the railroad and Main Street. Three of Bridge Street and extends 2050 feet downstream to the pumping stations that discharge storm waters from behind PAM Route 8 highway embankment. Protection along the the dike into the Connecticut River are located at Meadow Naugatuck River extends 3200 feet downstream from the Hill, Cherry Street, and Pitkin Street. Connecticut 1991 central part of the city. The project has prevented flood damages of $295 million. v, The completed works consist of dikes, floodwalls, stoplog structures, conduits, and pumping stations. A, There are about 35,000 feet of earthfill dikes and 4400 feet of concrete floodwall along the Connecticut River ex- L tending from high ground on Windsor Avenue, near the Hartford-Windsor town line, to high ground south of the Hartford-Wethersfield town line. Along this perimeter are six stoplog structures that are closed when floodwaters threaten to spill into the protected area and six pumping stations that discharge storm and sanitary sewage. The project also includes four conduits. The first, the Park River conduit, measures over 10,000 feet long and passes beneath Bushnell Park in the central part of the city, ending at -the Connecticut River. This conduit is sup- plemented by a second conduit, the Park River auxiliary conduit, located about 1100 feet south of the first conduit. This auxiliary conduit, 9200 feet long and lying approxi- mately 200 feet below the surface, is the product of state- of-the-art technology and allows'the Park River to be The East Har@fordLocal Protection Project's earthfill dike, built on the east completely diverted under the city of Hartford directly to bank ofthe Connecticut River, protects several hundred acres ofpropero. the Connecticut River. Two pumping stations support the Thephoto shows the dike, again partially hidden b@ trees, as its winds its auxiliary conduit. way around the riverbank. The third conduit is the 3 1 00-foot Gully Brook conduit, which ties into the first Park River conduit. The fourth is the 2200-foot Folly Brook conduit, which ties into the con- Folly Brook, Wethersfield duit located at the lower end of Folly Brook in Wethersfield. The Folly Brook Local Protection Project is located in Most of these works were initiated in December 1938 Wethersfield on Folly Brook, about 0.3 mile upstream of and completed in August 1944. Construction of the Folly Wethersfield Cove. The project protects about 165 acres lying along both sides of Folly Brook. The land is primarily residential and urban, consisting of single family homes and a convalescent home. Construction of the pr ject began in October 1977 and 0J was completed in October 1978 at a cost of $220,000. The Folly Brook project is a small project, built under Section 205 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. It is operated and maintained by Wethersfield. The Folly Brook project is a downstream extension of the Folly Brook con- duit built as part of the Hartford Local Protection Project, The project consists of 175 feet of corrugated metal pipe extending from the Folly Brook conduit (part of the Hart- ford Local Protection Project) to the lower end offolly Brook in Wethersfield. The pipe passes under the Hartford Avenue Bridge and Conrail Railroad Bridge and reduces the threat of flooding in Wethersfield. Hartford The Hartford Local Protection Project is located along the west bank of the Connecticut River in Hartford and along the city's Park River. It provides flood protection to ap- J proximately 3000 acres of highly developed commercial, residential, and industrial land in Hartford, including the The Folly Brook Local Protection Project (circled) helps to reduceflooding in Wethersfield. US Army Corps of Engineers V An earthfill dike, constructed along the banks of the Connecticut River in Har@ford and hidden by trees in the photo (above left), is part of a system ofdikes ofthe Har@fordLocal Protection Project that helpsprotect about 3000 acres ofhighly developedpropery in the ci!y. Another important component oftheproject is the 9200-foot-long Park River auxiliag conduit (photo above right), which diverts the Park River under Haqford direct@y to the Connecticut River. Thisauxilialy conduit, with a diameter of 22feet, was large enough to allow railroad cars to Pass through it during construction. Brook conduit began in February 1956 and was completed in May 1957. Construction of the Park River auxiliary con- duit and the two pumping stations began injune 1976 and was completed injuly 1981. The total cost of the Hartford local protection project was $71.5 million. It is operated and maintained by Hartford. North Canaan A The North Canaan Local Protection Project involved the snagging and clearing of a 6500-foot ong section of the Blackberry River. The project, which improved the flow capacity of the river, protects an area that includes resi- dential properties along Church Street; a housing develop- ment for the elderly; and an industrial plant. Fallen trees and heavy siltation had created a potential- ly dangerous nood situation. The removal of accumulated snags and debris was completed between June-September 1977, costing $73,900. This work was considered to be a small project, falling under Section 208 of the Corps' Con- The North Canaan Local Protection Project involved snagging and clearing tinuing Authorities Program. 6500feet of the Blackberg River, which runs under the Route 44 Bridge. The work involved the removal of dead brush, standing dead trees, designated live trees, snags, silt, slash, and other debris hindering the passage of floodwaters. Random Norwalk sand and gravel deposits were also excavated. The project area lies between the Route 44 Bridge and a The Norwalk Local Protection Project is located on the point downstream about 1800 feet from the junction of the Norwalk River, in the vicinity of Perry Avenue in Norwalk. Blackberry and Housatonic Rivers. This project safeguards about eight acres of residential and commercial property that had been subjected to frequent flooding. Connecticut 1991 the Norwich Local Protection Project was $1.3 million. The Wig channel is maintained by Norwich. A 700-foot reach of the Shetucket River channel was deepened and widened, increasing its cross-sectional area few -g- by 40 percent. The work was centered at the Laurel Hill Bridge (Route 12), where the channel passes through a 90 narrow rock constriction. 2r Torrington - East Branch I The Torrington (East Branch) Local Protection Project lies on the Naugatuck River and the Naugatuck River's east branch, near the center of Torrington. In conjunction with the Hall Meadow Brook and East Branch Dams, the project provides flood protection to resi- 74 dential, commercial, industrial, and public property along the banks of both the Naugatuck River and the Naugatuck River's east branch. Specifically, this protection extends from the East Pearl Street Bridge that spans the Nauga- tuck River's cast branch, to the vicinity of Saint Francis Cemetery on the Naugatuck River. The project has pre- vented flood damages of $66,000. Construction of the project, which cost $389,000, started -i"i injuly 1957 and was completed injuly 1959. It is a small project, built under Section 205 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. It is operated and maintained by About eight acres ofresidential and commercial propero areprotectedby the Torrington. Norwalk Local Protection Project. Built between October-December 1951, the project cost $52,000 and has prevented flood damages of $14,000. It is a small project, built under Section 205 of the Corps' Con tinuing Authorities Program. It is maintained by the city V, of Norwalk. The project entailed enlarging and realigning 1700 feet :V of the Norwalk River channel. An I 100-foot earthfill dike was built along the west bank of the river, and a row of steel sheet piling was installed. An industrial dam was r_>_ removed to facilitate construction. @J The project begins about 1400 feet downstream of Merritt Parkway (Route 15) and extends to the head of Deering Pond, at the confluence with the Silvermine River. Norwich The Norwich Local Protection Project is located at the lower end of the Shetucket River in Norwich.The project reduces flooding on the two-mile reach extending from the head of the Thames River upstream to the Greenville Dam. It has prevented damages of $6.2 million. The initial portion of the channel improvement project began injune 1947 and was completed in March 1949. In 1" Taw .7 @k_ September 1957, work began on extending the project, The Norwich Local Protection Project involved deepening and widening a which was completed in December 1958. The total cost of 700-foot reach of the Shetucket River. US Army Corps of Engineers .4 U 0 r;- vw ui4g -Amu 11W 00 16"p-m 4@ The Torrington (East Branch) Local Protection Pro ject has prevented damages of $66, 000 along sections of the ciy that were severely damaged ,*7 during August 1955flood. The top photo shows a section of the earthfill dike, partially hidden by trees, as its runs along the Naugatuck River at a point below the confluence of the East and West Branches (top left ofphoto). Floodwalls (above left) were also constructed as Part Of the project. 7 The photo on the right shows the Naugatuck River as it winds through Torrington. The project entailed deepening and widening the Construction involved building earthfill dikes and con- west branch of the Naugatuck River channel. In addition, crete floodwalls at various points along the Naugatuck concrete floodwalls and stone slope protection were con- River and the Naugatuck River's east branch. The total structed. The project extends about 2500 feet from the length of the dikes and floodwalls along the Naugatuck Prospect Street Bridge to the confluence of the Naugatuck River is 2370 feet, and their total length along the Nau- River's east and west branches. gatuck River's east branch is 1450 feet. The di 'kes on the Naugatuck River begin at a point immediately down- stream of the cast and west branch confluence. Waterbury/Watertown The project also entailed straightening, deepening, and The Waterbury/Watertown Local Protection Project is widening 5000 feet of the Naugatuck River and 4000 feet located along the east bank of the Naugatuck River in both of the Naugatuck River's east branch. Waterbury and Watertown. Acting in conjunction with the Thomaston Dam seven Torrington - West Branch miles upstream, the project provides substantial protection for an industrial complex, a residential area, the Devon- The Torrington (West Branch) Local Protection Project is Torrington Branch of the Conrail railroad, and sections of located in Torrington along the lower reach of the Nauga- Thomaston Avenue. tuck River's west branch. Construction began in December 1960 and was com- In conjunction with Hall Meadow Brook Dam, this pro- pleted in October 1961, costing $263,000. It is a small pro- ject safeguards industrial, commercial, and residential ject, built under Section 205 of the Corps' Continuing Au- areas along the west branch of the Naugatuck River. Since thorities Program. The project has prevented $8.4 million its completion, the project has prevented flood damages of in flood damages, and is operated and maintained by the $25,000. city of Waterbury and the town of Watertown. Construction of the project began injuly 1959 and The project consists of 1450 feet of earth dikes and 2711 was completed in May 1960, costing $228,000. It is a small feet of concrete floodwall, both constructed along the cast project, built under Section 205 of the Corps' Continuing bank, and a stoplog structure at the railroad track. Work Authorities Program. It is operated and maintained by also included channel excavation in an area upstream of Torrington. the former Chase Brass Dam. Connecticut 1991 .Ir r Al 4 A** 10L A. 4- L e@ eOP The Corps deepened and widened the West Branch of the Naugatuck River The Waterbu?y Local Protection Project along the Mad River. as part ofits Torrington (West Branch) Local Protection Project. Thepro- ject alvo included the construction ofstone slope protection, partially covered by trees, along the riverbank. The project extends from the high ground east of the Frost Road Bridges and near Bouffard Avenue. The esti- railroad bridge near Thomaston Avenue to the southern mated cost of the project is $1,900,000. The project is au- end of the industrial complex, about one mile north of the thorized under Section 205, Local Flood Protection, of the mouth of Hancock Brook. It covers an area of about 4515 Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. feet. Mad River, Waterbury West River., New Haven The West River Local Protection Project is located in the (Woodtick) Westville section of New Haven, upstream of the crossing Waterbury is located approximately 20 miles north of New of Route 63 over the West River. The completed project Haven and about 25 miles southwest of Hartford. will reduce the flood hazard and associated urban flooding Flooding conditions along the Mad River in the Wood- along West River from Blake Street to Whalley Avenue. tick area of Waterbury have been aggrevated by increased Following the record flood ofJune 1982, the City of New development in the floodplain, along with the resulting ac- Haven requested the Corps of Engineers to study the feasi- cumulation of silt and debris in the channel over the past bility and justification of Federal participation in the con- decade. struction of flood control improvements for the Westville A flood damage reduction project consisting of channel section of the city. The study investigated a variety of widening along two areas of the Mad River is planned for measures to reduce recurring flood losses within the West 1992. The total effected area is approximately 1470 linear River basin. The Corps of Engineers completed a prelimi- feet in length. The two areas are located in the vicinity of nary investigation in August 1983 which found that further study was warranted. The more detailed study, finalized in US Army Corps of Engineers 1985, recommended construction of a series of improve- ments to reduce flood losses in the West River area be- tween Blake Street and Whalley Avenue in northwestern New Haven. The project will consist of widening the West River as well as providing floodwalls and dikes along the West River and its tributary Wintergreen Brook. The channel work will widen 1,150 feet of the west bank and 600 feet of the cast bank of the West River. Floodwalls and a dike will also ift , ! be constructed along 1,000 feet of.the northern bank of 41 @ , - Wintergreen Brook. The walls will prevent waters from overtopping the banks and flooding commercial and resi- dential areas. Construction of the improvements was approved by the tion contract for the amount of $3,295,000 was awarded in Secretary of the Army in late September 1988. A construc- September 1990. The work will take approximately two years to complete. Winsted VA The Winsted Local Protection Project is situated along the lower reach of the Mad River in the Winsted section of Winchester. The project is designed to protect 73 acres of commercial, industrial, and residential property in the central part of the city. Additional protection is provided The Winsted Local Protection Project involved clearing 4890feet of the by the dam at Mad River Lake, located about one mile up- MadRiver. stream, and Sucker Brook Dam, located about two miles to the southwest. Construction of the Winsted Local Protection Project began in May 1950 and ended in October 195 1, costing $276,000. However, in August 1955, heavy rainfall from two successive hurricanes caused extreme flooding on the Mad River, severely damaging the project. Disaster opera- tions following the flood included clearing the river chan- nel and removing many of the constricting foundations. The city's acquisition of adjacent land and enforcement of floodplain zoning laws has eliminated much of the conges- tion along the Mad River channel that existed prior to the 1955 flood. The original work, completed in 195 1, consisted of re- moving an abandoned darn and excavating the channel for 4890 feet from Lake Street downstream to a point about 1700 feet below the Case Street Bridge. Work done by the state following the 1955 storm included widening Main Street and building retaining walls. Connecticut 1991 Navigation ,The Corps has completed navigation projects at 28 differ- today's waterways has been constructed by the Corps with- ent sites in Connecticut. These sites include rivers, bays, in the past 50 years, costing an aggregate total of $20 mil- coves, and harbors that are used by commercial interests, lion. (More information on the navigational role of the fishermen, and the many recreational boaters that enjoy Corps is available on page 6). the intricate and fascinating Connecticut coastline. The following pages describe the Corps' navigation Initial work on many of the projects dates back to the projects in Connecticut. Depths given for channels and 19th century. However, much of the navigational work in anchorages are those at Mean Low Water. J Branford Harbor is a popular spotfor recreational boating. US Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Projects in Connecticut Black Rock Harbor Niantic Bay and Harbor Branford Harbor Norwalk Harbor Bridgeport Harbor Patchogue River Clinton Harbor Pawcatuck River and Little Narragansett Connecticut River Bay Duck Island Harbor Port Chester Harbor Fivemile River Harbor Southport Harbor Greenwich Harbor Stamford Harbor Guilford Harbor Stonington Harbor Housatonic River Stony Creek Mianus River Thames River Milford Harbor Westcott Cove Mystic River Westport Harbor and Saugatuck River New Haven Harbor Wilson Point Harbor New London Harbor Connecticut 1991 Irv --vie W i0i, :-Tt 46 Black Rock Harbor in Bridgeport. Black Rock Harbor sediment from the shore to the navigational area. The harbor's main feature is a 2.4-mile-long, 18-foot-deep Black Rock Harbor in Bridgeport is an important com- channel that extends from Long Island Sound, through mercial port that serves several waterfront facilities. It is Black Rock Harbor and Cedar Creek, to the heads of the bordered on the east by Fayerweather Island. east and west branches of Cedar Creek. The channel is 200 Navigational improvements to Black Rock Harbor were feet wide for the first 1.75 miles, then narrows to 150 feet made as early as 1838, when a seawall was constructed along until the junction of the east and west branches, where it the eastern side of Fayerweather Island. In 1899, groins were becomes 100 feet wide in each branch. built on the east side of the harbor to prevent the shift of The channel was completed in 193 1. US Army Corps of Engineers Branford Harbor Two anchorage areas in the upper harbor. The first, 25 feet deep and 23 acres in area, lies opposite Tongue Branford Harbor lies at the mouth of the Branford River Point (A small portion of this anchorage was dredged in southwestern Branford. The harbor is used chiefly for to 33.5 feet to facilitate the movement of large com- recreational boating. mercial ships); the second, 18 feet deep and 29 acres The project consists of a 2.8-mile-long channel, 8.5 feet in area, lies on the southwesterly side of the main deep and 100 feet wide, extending from the outer harbor, channel, parallel to the shoreline, directly across from through the Branford River, to the vicinity of the Route Yellow Mill Channel. 146 Bridge in Branford. This work was completed in 1907. A turning basin 18 acres in area and 35 feet deep located south of the Cilco Terminal. A 15-foot-deep channel 200 feet wide, extending from Bridgeport Harbor the aforementioned turning basin upJohnsons River to a point 1700 feet below Hollisters Dam, where for Bridgeport Harbor, one of Connecticut's principal com- 1100 feet it becomes nine feet deep and 100 feet wide mercial ports, lies at the mouth of the Pequormock River until terminating at the six-foot-deep anchorage near in southeastern Bridgeport. Hollisters Dam. The development of Bridgeport Harbor began in 1836 A three-acre anchorage area midway up theJohnsons and has been modified several times. The harbor contains River channel, nine feet deep at the lower end and six the following navigational features: feet deep at the upper end. � A main ship channel extending from Long Island A six-foot-deep anchorage, two acres in area, at the Sound to the inner harbor. From Long Island Sound head of the Johnsons River channel, near Hollisters to Tongue Point, the channel is 35 feet deep and 400 Dam. feet wide. It widens to 600 feet at the northwest bend 0 A one-mile-long, 18-foot-deep channel, 150-200 feet (opposite Cilco Terminal), then narrows to 300 feet at wide, extending up Yellow Mill Pond Channel to a a point 800 feet before the Stratford Avenue bridge as point about 360 feet from Crescent Avenue. it heads up the Pequormock River. The deepening of - A 1. 1 -mile-long, 18-foot-deep channel, 125 to 200 feet this channel to 35 feet was completed in 1963. wide, extending from the vicinity of the Stratford � Two breakwaters at the entrance to the main harbor. Avenue Bridge, up the Pequormock River, to a point The easterly breakwater is 3823 feet long, and the 500 feet below the dam at Berkshire Avenue. westerly breakwater has a length of 2110 feet. i.- W Bridgeport Harbor Connecticut 1991 Two stonejetties at the mouth of the Connecticut 6 River in Old Saybrook help prevent the buildup of sediment andprovide safe passagewayfor commer- cial and recre ational vessels. V Clinton Harbor Connecticut River Clinton Harbor is located at the mouth of the The Connecticut River is one of the state's most vital Hammonasset River in Clinton. The harbor is used chiefly waterways. With its entrance near the eastern end of Long for recreational boating. Island Sound, it serves (in upstream order) recreational The first work in Clinton Harbor was completed in 1893 harbors and commercial waterfronts in the communities of and consisted of a stone dike between Cedar Island and Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Essex, Lyme, Deep River, the mainland to form a protected inner harbor. The most Chester, East Haddam, Haddam, East Hampton, Middle- recent work, completed in 1950, consists of: town, Portland, Cromwell, Rocky Hill, Glastonbury, * A 1. 1 -mile-long channel, eight feet deep and 100 feet Wethersfield, East Hartford, and Hartford. wide, extending from Long Island Sound to the The first work on the Connecticut River was done in wharves in Clinton; 1836 and has been modified several times. Presently, the 0 An anchorage area eight feet deep in the wharf area; navigational works on the river include: and A main ship channel that stretches 52 miles upstream * Maintenance of Cedar Island Dike. from the river mouth in Old Saybrook to Hartford. The depth of the channel is 15 feet. The channel width is 300 feet from the river mouth to the railroad Compo Beach bridge (3.4 miles). From the railroad bridge to Hart- Compo Beach in Westport is situated on both the east ford, the channel width is 150 feet. and west sides of Cedar Point, at the entrance to the 0 Two stone jetties at the mouth of the river in Old Say- brook. The west jetty is 2750 feet long, and the east Saugatuck River. The pr *ect was completed in two phases: jetty is 2300 feet long. 0j - A channel I I feet deep and 100 feet wide that extends � Two 500-foot-long groins were constructed. The first 1900 feet westward from the deep water at Saybrook groin was constructed at Hills Point on the eastern Shoal to North Cove, both located in Old Saybrook side of the beach, and the second was built on the (mile 2). western side of the beach. This phase was completed in December 1956. * Two anchorage basins at North Cove. The eastern � The beach (both sides) was widened to 100 feet by anchorage measures I I feet deep and over 12 acres in area, and the western anchorage is six feet deep and the direct placement of sand. The east side of Cedar over seven acres in area. Point is approximately 2600 feet long, while the west 0 A channel on Eightmile River in Lyme and a turning side is about 1100 feet long. This phase was com- basin at the head of Hamburg Cove, also in Lyme pleted injanuary 1959. (mile 9). The channel is eight feet deep and 75 feet The total cost of the project was $253,600. wide and stretches 1.5 miles eastward from the Con- US Army Corps of Engineers 4 North Cove in Old Saj,brook H ethersfield Cove in 11 ethersfield The Connecticut River is in the background Connecticut 1991 necticut River to the turning basin at Hamburg Cove. Duck Island Harbor The turninLy basin is eight feet deep, 300 feet long, and 150 feet wide. Duck Island Harbor is bounded by Clinton and Grove Training dikes, revetments, and other accessory works Beaches to the north, Duck Island to the south, Menun- along the river between Sears Shoal in East Hampton ketesuck Island to the east, and Kelsey Point in Clinton (mile 24) and Hartford (mile 51). and Stone Island to the west. The work described above was authorized by Congress. In 1899, the Corps constructed a 2700-foot-long break- Under the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program, small water extending westward from Duck Island. In 1917, the projects can be constructed without congressional ap- Corps built two additional breakwaters: a I 100-foot-long proval. Through Section 107 of this program, the Corps structure at the north *end of Duck Island, and a 3750-foot- has constructed two small navigation projects along the long breakwater extending south from Stone Island to Connecticut River that are chiefly used as recreational Stone Island Reef. At the same time, the Corps also harbors. They are: dredged a portion of an area northwest of Duck Island to A channel and two anchorages at the Essex water- a depth of 16 feet. front (mile 7). The channel is almost one mile long, 10 feet deep, and 100 feet wide, and extends north- westerl,y from the Connecticut River channel at Essex Fivemile River Harbor Shoal, along the Essex waterfront, then back toward the Connecticut River channel. The area is bordered Fivemile River Harbor is located at the mouth of Five- by two anchorage areas. The southern anchorage is mile River along the Darien-Norwalk town line. The har- 10 feet deep and over 15 acres in area, while the bor is used chiefly for recreational boating. northern anchorage is eight feet deep and over 19 The project at Fivemile River Harbor is an eight-foot- acres in area. deep, 100-foot-wide channel extending almost one mile A channel and anchorage basin at Wethersfield Cove from the mouth of Fivemile River to the head of the har- in Wethersfield (mile 48). The channel is six feet bor. It was completed in 19 10. deep and 60 feet wide, extending 0.4 mile westward from the Connecticut River to the anchorage basin in the southern half of the cove. The anchorage basin is six feet deep and 30 acres in area. The breakwaters at Duck Island Harbor in Clinton. US Army Corps of Engineers Greenwich Harbor M UM Greenwich Harbor, located about 2.5 miles east of the New York state line in Greenwich, consists of an outer har- bor and three inner coves. Initial work in Greenwich Harbor was completed in 1905. The features of the present project, completed in 195 1, include: 0 A 1.4-mile-long, 12-foot deep channel. The channel is 130 feet wide from the outer harbor to the town wharf, then 100 feet wide along the wharf front to a point about 50 feet from the head of the harbor. 0 An anchorage area six feet deep and about 12 acres in area north of Grass Island and west of the channel. 7 An anchorage area eight feet deep and 21.5 acres in 17"T'h area south of Grass Island and west of the channel. Guilford Harbor 'N' Guilford Harbor is located at the mouth of the East River, about one mile southwest from the center of Guil- ford. It is used principally by fishing and recreational craft. The project, completed in 1957, provides for: - A 0.8-mile-long channel, six feet deep and 160 feet wide, extending from Long Island Sound, through the Fivernile River Harbor, located along the boundg between Darien and harbor, to the anchorage area on the East River; Norwalk. * A 1500-foot-long anchorage area on the East River, six feet deep and 200 feet wide, ending at the mouth of the Neck River; and e An 880-foot-long branch channel, six feet deep and 60 feet wide, up Sluice Creek and ending at Whitfield Street, just beyond the state wharf. M A T -e)4@ 4 4P Greenwich Harbor Connecticut 1991 The earliest work on the Mianus River was completed in 1892. The present project, completed in 1951, is a 1.2- _f@ mile-long, six-foot-deep channel, 100 feet wide, extending from Cos Cob Harbor to U.S. Route 1 (Boston Post Road) in the Mianus section of Greenwich. Milford Harbor Milford Harbor is located at the mouth of the Wepa- waug River along the Milford shorefront. The harbor is chiefly used for recreational boating. The first work on Milford Harbor was completed in 1874. Navigational improvements made by the Corps in intermittent years include: zc A one-mile channel stretching from the lower harbor to a point 400 feet above Town Wharf. From the lower harbor to Merwins Wharf (0.4 mile), the channel is 10 feet deep and 100 feet wide; from Merwins Wharf to the area 400 feet above Town Wharf, the channel is eight feet deep and 100- 125 feet wide. An anchorage area, called East Basin, located on the 4W Vw- east side of the channel at the bend. It is eight feet deep and five acres in area. The Mianus River in Greenwich. Two adjacent anchorage areas totalling 2000 feet in length that lie parallel to the channel on its westerly side. The anchorage area closest to the outer harbor Housatonic River is 10 feet deep and 600 feet long, while the second The Housatonic River originates in northwestern Mas- anchorage is eight feet deep and about 1400 feet long. sachusetts and flows south for 132 miles through Massa- Twojetties in the inner harbor, close to the entrance chusetts and Connecticut to Long Island Sound at Strat- of the Wepawaug River. The east jetty (Longjetty) is ford, about four miles east of Bridgeport Harbor. 5 10 feet long, and the westjetty (Burns PointJetty) is The Corps first began work on the Housatonic River in 250 feet long. 1871 and has since made several improvements to facili- tate navigation for commercial and recreational vessels. Mystic River At present, the project consists of- � A 13-mile-long channel stretching from the mouth of The Mystic River extends from Mystic Harbor in Mystic the river to Derby and Shelton. For the first five six miles upstream to Old Mystic. Both Mystic and Old miles, from the mouth of the river to Culvers Bar in Mystic are sections of Stonington. Milford, the channel is 18 feet deep and 200 feet wide. The river is mainly used by fishing and recreational For the next eight miles, to a point about 500 feet be- craft. A popular attraction is Mystic Seaport, a recon- fore the Shelton-Derby Bridge, the channel is seven structed seacoast village depicting 19th century waterfront feet deep and 100 feet wide and used chiefly for recre- development. ational boating. Work on the Mystic River began in 1890; several im- � A 5820-foot-long stone breakwater on the cast side of provements have been made then. Navigational work the the river mouth. Corps has completed in the river include: � A 1225-foot-long training dike in Stratford. A 3.75-mile-long channel stretching from Fishers � A 163-foot-long jetty at Sow and Pigs Rock in East Island Sound to a point 700 feet above the wharf at Derby, about 13 miles upstream from the mouth of the Mystic Seaport Marine Historical Association. the river. The channel has varying dimensions. It is 15 feet deep and 125 feet wide beginning in Fishers Island Sound, Mianus River extending north along the Noank waterfront in Groton, continuing between Sixpenny and Mason The Mianus River originates in southeastern New York, Island in Stonington to Murphy Point in Mystic (2.4 e@ - 4@t flowing southerly for about 20 miles before emptying into miles). From Murphy Point to the U.S. Route I Cos Cob Harbor in Greenwich. Bridge at Mystic (0.55 miles), the channel is 15 feet US Army Corps of Engineers deep and 100 feet wide. From the bridge to the point 700 feet above the Mystic Seaport Marine Historical Association Wharf (0.8 mile), the channel is 12 feet deep and 80-90 feet wide. �An anchorage basin nine feet deep and 8.5 acres in area on the east side of the channel and north of Mason Island. -0 �A turning basin nine feet deep, 200 feet wide, and 200 feet long immediately north of the railroad bridge and west of the channel. New Haven Harbor New Haven Harbor, a major commercial harbor in Con- necticut, extends for five miles from Long Island Sound to New Haven. West Haven and East Haven lie on either side of the outer harbor. Principal rivers flowing into the har- bor are the Quinnipiac River to the northeast, the Mill River to the north, and the West River to the west. The Corps began work on New Haven Harbor in 1852 1 iiL@ T-:0 and completed several improvements in 1950. Presently, the project consists of'. �Three breakwaters that shelter the harbor entrance. The cast breakwater, located on the east side of the channel, is 3450 feet long; the middle breakwater, located on the west side of the channel, is 4450 feet long; and the west breakwater is 4200 feet long. From Morgan Point in East Haven, the breakwaters stretch southwesterly across the outer harbor in a rough diag- New Haven Harbor onal shape. They were constructed in 1915. �A five-mile-long main channel 35 feet deep and 400- A 12-foot-deep channel up the Mill River that splits 800 feet wide extending from Long Island Sound to into two branches. The channel is 2000 feet long and the head of the harbor, immediately south of the US 200 feet wide up to the junction of the two branches. Route I and Connecticut Turnpike Bridges. The east branch is 1200 feet long and 100 feet wide, �An anchorage basin 16 feet deep and 13.5 acres in while the west branch is 1600 feet long and 125 feet area on the west side of the upper harbor. wide. The channels in each branch extend to the �An anchorage basin 15 feet deep and 3.2 acres in area Grand Avenue Bridge. at the northwest side of the head of the harbor, oppo- A 200-foot-wide channel in the lower reaches of the site City Wharf. Quinnipiac River, 18 feet deep in the 3700-foot reach �A 1.5-mile-long, 12-foot-deep channel extending from between the Tomlinson (U.S. Route 1) and Ferry the 16-foot anchorage, through the mouth of the West Street Bridges, and 16 feet deep in the 3000-foot River, to a point about 700 feet from the Connecticut reach extending upstream to the Grand Avenue Turnpike. From the 16-foot anchorage to the Kim- Bridge. berly Avenue Bridge, the channel is 100- 150 feet wide. A 4200-foot-long training dike at Sandy Point in West From the Eimberly Avenue Bridge to the point about Haven, opposite the Fort Hale Bar. 700 feet from the Connecticut Turnpike, the channel The Corps also removed rocks in Morris Cove, on the is 75 feet wide. cast side of the outer harbor near the Brightview section �A small-boat anchorage, six feet deep and over 1.5 of East Haven, to facilitate navigation. acres in area, on the southwest side of the mouth of the West River. �A 300-foot-long stub channel, 12 feet deep and 100 feet wide, extending northwest from the 15-foot-deep anchorage toward Brewery Street. Construction of the channel beyond 300 feet was abandoned when Con- gress declared the area unnavigable in 1949. Connecticut 1991 . . ........ . N ;@w r_4 0 N@- New London Harbor New London Harbor A waterfront channel 6000 feet long, 23 feet deep, and a minimum of 400 feet wide. This channel stems New London Harbor, located in the New London busi- from the main channel and provides access to the ness district, is about three miles upstream from Long city's waterfront, including the Fort Trumbull, Shaw Island Sound and about 12 miles west of the Rhode Island Cove, and the main pier areas. It splits into two stateline. branch channels at the State Pier. Corps work in New London Harbor began in 1880, and 0 Two branch channels, each 23 feet deep. The cast in 1938, several modifications were completed. These channel, between the State Pier and the Central Ver- include: mont Railroad Pier, is 100 feet wide and 1000 feet A 3.8-mile-long main ship channel, 40 feet deep, and long. The west channel, between the Central Ver- 600 feet wide, stretching from Long Island Sound to mont Railroad Pier and the New London shoreline the State Pier at the northern end of the'harbor, close (Winthrop Cove), is 250 feet wide and 1500 feet long. to the US Route 95 Bridge. The deepening of the 0 A maneuvering area 23 feet deep located west of the channel to 40 feet from its previous depth of 33 feet waterfront channel and south of State Pier. was completed in 1976 by the Department of the * An anchorage basin 15 feet deep in Shaws Cove. Navy. The Corps is responsible for maintaining the channel 40 feet deep and 500 feet wide. US Army Corps of Engineers Niantic Bay Harbor 100-200 feet wide until it terminates at the head of the harbor in Norwalk. Niantic Bay is a wide, shallow bay at the mouth of the o An anchorage area 10 feet deep and 17 acres in area Niantic River. The river forms a partial boundary between on the east side of the channel in the vicinity of Fitch East Lyme and Waterford. Point in East Norwalk. The harbor is protected by a large bar that serves as a 0 A 0.6-mile-long, six-foot-deep channel, 125-150 feet causeway for the Conrail railroad and Route 156. It is a wide, extending northeast from the I 0-foot anchorage popular place for harvesting scallops and is used by a large opposite Fitch Point to the head of the harbor at East fleet of recreational and sportfishing boats. Norwalk. The project consists of a channel with varying dimen- o A six-foot-deep anchorage area that lies adjacent to sions. An eight-foot deep, 100-foot wide entrance channel the head of the harbor at East Nor-walk. extends about 1700 feet northeasterly from deep water at the northeastern end of Niantic Bay to the railroad and highway bridges, where it narrows as it passes under at the southern end of Niantic Harbor. The channel then be- 1@4 comes six feet deep and 100 feet wide as it extends in a zig-zag pattern about 8500 feet upstream to the deep water south of Sandy Point. IRK The channel at Niantic Bay and Harbor was completed Tm@ in August 1970 as a small project under Section 107 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. 4*ft - Norwalk Harbor Norwalk Harbor is located at the mouth of the Norwalk River about eight miles cast of Stamford. It forms a boundary between the East and South Norwalk sections of the city. Corps work on Norwalk Harbor began in 1872. Features of the existing project, completed in 1950, are: A 4.7-mile-long channel extending from the outer har- bor to the head of the harbor in Norwalk. The channel is 12 feet deep and 200 feet wide from the outer har- bor to Gregory Point in East Norwalk, where it nar- rows to 150 feet wide up to the wharves at South Nor- walk. The channel then widens to 250 feet along the wharves to the Washington Street Bridge. For its final 1.5 miles, the channel is 10 feet deep and between Nonvalk Harbor Niantic Bay andRarbor, on the border ofEast Lyme and Wate?ford. Connecticut 1991 A t JIV 7. AM C-M_ for The Pawcatuck River, lookingfrom Stonington to Westerly, Rhode Island. Patchogue River Pawcatuck River and The Patchogue River starts at the northeastern end of Little Narragansett Bay Duck Island Roads and flows for three miles through The Pawcatuck River flows through the east side of the Westbrook. The river is used chiefly by recreational and Pawcatuck section of Stonington into Little Narragansett fishing boats. Bay at the Rhode Island-Connecticut state line. Navigational improvements to the Patchogue River Corps work on the Pawcatuck River began in 187 1. Pre- were completed in 1956. They consist of: sently, the navigational features of the river are: � A one-mile-long, eight-foot-deep channel extending A 7.5-mile-long, I 0-foot-deep channel extending from from Duck Island Harbor to the U.S. Route I Bridge. Stonington Point, located on the bay's western end, The channel is 125 feet wide from Duck Island Har- through Little Narragansett Bay and up the Pawca- bor to the junction of the Patchogue and Menunkete- tuck River to Westerly, Rhode Island. The channel is suck Rivers (1800 feet), where it becomes 75 feet wide 200 feet wide from Stonington Point to the lower until its ends at the U.S. Route I Bridge. The enlarge- wharves at Westerly (about seven miles), then to 40 ment of the 1800-foot section of the channel from its feet to the upper wharves. original width of 75 feet to 125 feet was completed in * A 0.28 mile-long, 10-foot-deep, 100-foot-wide channel 1984 as a small project under Section 107 of the extending from the mouth of the Pawcatuck River Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. into Watch Hill Cove in Westerly. � An anchorage and maneuvering area eight feet deep, 0 A I 0-foot-deep anchorage basin Watch Hill Cove. 75 feet wide, and 500 feet long opposite the town I wharf, about 0.4 mile below the highway bridge. 0 A 550-foot-longjetty constructed near Watch Hill � A sandtight stone jetty extending 600 feet south into Cove. Duck Island Roads from the mouth of the Menun- ketesuck River. US Army Corps of Engineers since undergone several modifications. The project presently consists of- A 1. 1 -mile-long, nine-foot-deep channel extending from Long Island Sound to Golf Club Wharf. From V Long Island Sound to East Main Street, the channel is 100 feet wide. From East Main Street to Golf Club Wharf, the channel varies in width between 175-400 feet. A six-foot-deep anchorage area north of Golf Club Wharf, 300 feet wide and 500 feet long. A A 1320-foot-long stone breakwater on the cast side of the harbor entrance. @'w A 1350-foot-long training dike along the east bank of NP the river. 4@_ Port Chester Harbor in Greenwich. Port Chester Harbor 57@"O-C,__ Although officially located in the Port Chester section of Rye, New York, Port Chester Harbor is situated on the Byram River, which forms a partial boundary between New York and Connecticut. The existing project, completed in 1938, provides for: K, A 1.7-mile-long channel extending from Long Island Sound to a point 100 feet below the fixed bridge at W Mill Street in Port Chester. From Long Island Sound to the mouth of the Byram River at the southerly point of Fox Island, the channel is 12 feet deep and J 150 feet wide. From the mouth of the river to a point 900 feet below the fixed bridge at Mill Street, the channel is 10 feet deep and 100 feet wide. For the next 800 feet, the channel measures three feet deep and 175-100 feet wide. An anchorage basin 12 feet deep at Byram Point. The maintenance of Port Chester Harbor is under the jurisdiction or the New York District of the Corps of Engineers. Southport Harbor Southport Harbor is located at the mouth of the Mill River in Fairfield. The harbor is used primarily for recre- ational boating. Corps work on Southport Harbor began in 1829 and has Southport Harbor in Fairfield. Connecticut 1991 The 1.5-mile-long east branch channel, 12 feet deep and between 100-150 feet wide, which passes through the navigation gates of the Stamford Hurricane Pro tection Barrier and ends upstream in Stamford. Iwo M, 3 Stonington Harbor Stonin ton Harbor is situated west of Stonington on the 9 north shore of Fishers Island Sound. Famous in the early W 19th century as the home port for many worldwide whaling and scaling expeditions, the harbor is now chiefly a fishing port. Navigational work in the harbor was first completed by the Corps in 1828. The most recent modifications were completed in 1957. The main navigational features of Stonington Harbor are: Two breakwaters; one off Wamphassuck Point on the west side of the outer harbor, and the second at Bart- law' lett Reef on the east side of the outer harbor, 0.8 mile south of Stonington Point. A 12-foot-deep basin near the middle of the inner harbor. Stamford Harbor A dredged portion of Penguin Shoal to a depth of 10 feet. Penguin Shoal is located at the southwest end of Stamford Harbor the inner harbor, near Wamphassuck Point. Stamford Harbor is located in southwestern Stamford, Stony Creek about seven miles east of the New York state line. The inner harbor splits into two branches: the west branch, The cove at Stony Creek in Branford is located about which ends at the mouth of the Rippowam River, and the three miles east of Branford Harbor. Stony Creek is used east branch, which passes through the Stamford Hurricane by recreational boats, the local fishing fleet, charter boats, Protection Barrier and ends about '0.75 mile upstream. and a ferry that runs to the Thimble Islands, a group of Initial work in Stamford Harbor was completed by the over 30 small islands lying about a mile offshore. Corps in 1886. Since 1919, the harbor has undergone sev- The project at Stony Creek consists of- eral modifications. Presently, the navigational features of # A channel six feet deep and 100 feet wide. It begins in Stamford Harbor include: Long Island Sound, passes 75 feet off the town dock, � Two breakwaters located at the entrance of the har- and ends at a point 800 feet north of the town dock. bor on either side of the channel. The east breakwater - A 3.5-acre maneuvering basin, six feet deep and 200 is 1200 feet long, and the west breakwater is 2900 feet feet wide, located at the head of the channel's east long. side. � A one-mile-long, 200-foot-wide main channel extend- The project was completed injanuary 1970 as small ing from the outer harbor to the inner harbor, where project under Section 107 of the Corps' Continuing Autho- it divides into the east and west branches. The main rities Program. channel is 18 feet deep for the one-half mile between the outer harbor and the upper end of the 18-foot- deep anchorage located on the channel's west side. It Thames River then becomes 15 feet deep to thejunction of the east The Thames River is formed by the confluence of the and west branches. � An anchorage basin 18 feet deep and 19 acres in area Shetucket and Yantic Rivers in Norwich and flows south on the main channel's west side, inside the west for 12 miles to New London Harbor. It serves (in upstream breakwater. order) commercial and recreational waterfronts in the � The one-mile-long west branch channel, 15 feet deep communities of New London, Groton, Waterford, Ledyard, and 125 feet wide. The channel leads into a large, 15- Montville, and Norwich. foot-deep maneuvering basin 380 feet wide, at the The earliest work on the Thames River was completed mouth of the Rippowam Rive'r. by the Corps in 1836 and modified in 1879. This work in- US Army Corps of Engineers The Thames River. Ledyard is on the right and Montville is on the left. Mohegan Dike can be seen on the lower right. Route 2A is in the background t N N N N N @Pw 4S A. 7AP @77 40P P'" The ThamesRiver in Groton. The U.S. Naval Submarine Base is in theforeground. Connecticut 1991 The Thames River, with Trading Cove and Trading Cove Dike in the background, in Norwich. eluded dredging and deepening the river channel and con- Five training dikes in the upper three miles of the structing several piers. The most recent work on the river, river that help keep sediment from settling at the completed in 1942, provides for: bottom of the channel. These dikes are: � A 25-foot-deep channel, about 10.5 miles long, ex- -Norwich Dike ............... 1050 feet long tending from the area east of Mamacoke Cove in New -Rolling Mill Dike ......... 3480 feet long London (almost two miles north of the New London -Long Rock Dike ........... 2800 feet long Highway Bridge) to Norwich, at the mouth of the -Trading Cove Dike ..... 2370 feet long Shetucket River. The channel is 250 feet wide from -Mohegan Dike ............. 2990 feet long Mamacoke Cove to Bartlett Crossover (about four The removal of obstructions at the mouth of the miles upstream of the New London Highway Bridge), Shetucket River. then 200 feet wide from Bartlett Crossover to Nor- wich. (In 1980, the Department of the Navy deepened a portion of this channel to 36 feet. The new depth Westcott Cove begins at the US Route 95 Bridge and extends to the Westcott Cove in Stamford is located one mile east of upstream end of the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Stamford Harbor. It is separated from the harbor by Ship- Groton. The Corps is responsible for maintaining this pan Point. The waterway is used chiefly for recreational part of the channel to a depth of 36 feet and a width boating. of 250 feet). The project at Westcott Cove was completed in 1963. It � Widening the channel opposite the U.S. Naval Sub- consists of a 0.8-mile-long channel, eight feet deep and 100 marine Base fronT250 to 350 feet, with the widened feet wide, stretching from Westcott Cove to the municipal area having a depth of 20 feet. This work was com- lagoon in Cummings Park. pleted by the Department of the Navy in 1940. US Army Corps of Engineers Westport Harbor and Wilson Point Harbor Saugatuck River The harbor at Wilson Point is located in Norwalk. A small The Saugatuck River flows through Westport Harbor recreational fleet is based at facilities along the harbor. and empties into Long Island Sound at the southwestern The project, completed by the Corps in 1892, consists of end of Westport. The river is navi able from its mouth at a 0.7-mile-long, 15-foot-deep channel extending from Shef- 9 field Island Harbor east of Bell Island to an area west of the Saugatuck section of Westport to the U.S. Route I the wharves at Wilson Point. For 2000 feet, beginning at Bridge in Westport, a distance of 4.2 miles. A large recre- Sheffield Island Harbor, the channel is 700 feet wide. For ational fleet is based in the many coves along the river. the next 750 feet, the channel width extends to 900 feet. The main navigational feature of the Westport Harbor/ The width of the channel then narrows to 200 feet, with Saugatuck River area is a four-foot-deep channel that ex- the channel turning west of the former commercial tends from the highway bridge at Saugatuck to Westport wharves at Wilson Point for the final 1000 feet. Harbor, where it divides into two smaller, stub channels, also four feet deep. The left stub channel has a width of 54 feet, and the right channel has a width of 40 feet. These channels were constructed in 1896. To facilitate navigation, the Corps in 1898 removed boulders in the channel area between the Connecticut Turnpike Bridge and Westport Harbor. The Corps re- moved ledge rock opposite Stony Point in 1908. Repairs to a previously constructed breakwater at Cedar Point were made in 1897. .91 V A ;@Znhj; OKOI-Q, Westcott Cove in Stamford. Connecticut 1991 Shore and Bank Protection The Corps has constructed 25 shore and bank protection are owned by the state and five are owned by the federal projects in Connecticut to stem erosion of the shoreline government. The state has approximately 8400 miles of and inland riverbanks. Twenty-one of these projects were rivers and streams, second in New England only to Maine's built on the shore, while four were constructed on inland 31,672. streambanks. Total construction costs amounted to more The following pages describe the Corps' shore and bank than $6 million. protection projects in Connecticut. The Connecticut coastline is approximately 270 miles long. About 215 miles are privately owned, while 50 miles -A. -.vv 77, % F, '7 The shore can take a beatingfrom storm driven win& and waves. In September 1961, Hurricane Esther raised havoc with Rhode Island's Narragansett Pier, slamming waves against the seawall andflooding adjacent streets. (Copyright 1961 The Providence journal Company). US Army Corps of Engineers Shore and Bank Protection Projects in Connecticut Burial Hill Beach Nonewaug River, Woodbury Calf Pasture Beach Port V Facility, Bridgeport Compo Beach Prospect Beach Cove Island Sasco Hill Beach Cummings Park Salmon River, Colchester Guilford Point Beach Seaside Park Gulf Beach Sherwood Island State Park Gulf Street Short Beach Hammonasset Beach Silver Beach to Cedar Beach Housatonic River, Salisbury Squantz Pond, New Fairfield Jennings Beach and Ash Creek Southport Beach Lighthouse Point Park Woodmont Shore Middle Beach Connecticut 1991 44 Compo Beach in Westport. Burial Hill Beach western side of the beach. This phase was completed in December 1956. Burial Hill Beach in Westport lies immediately cast of The beach (both sides) was widened to 100 feet by the Sherwood Island State Park, between Sherwood Point and direct placement of sand. The east side of Cedar Point Frost Point. is approximately 2600 feet long, while the west side is About 500 feet of Burial Hill Beach was widened to 100 about 1100 feet long. This phase was completed in feet by the direct placement of sand. The project was com- January 1959. pleted injune 1957 at a cost of $17,400. The total cost of the project was $253,600. Calf Pasture Beach Covelsland Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk is located on the east side Cove Island lies at the head of Cove Harbor in south- of Calf Pasture Point at the entrance to Norwalk Harbor. eastern Stamford. The beach is situated on the eastern The beach erosion control project at Calf Pasture Beach shore of the island. has two components: The project provided for widening approximately 1200 � In October 1958, two existing groins were lengthened feet of beach to a width of 125 feet by the direct placement to 400 feet. of sand. A 400-foot-longjetty was also constructed at the � In December 1958, approximately 2200 feet of Calf far northeastern end of the beach. Pasture Beach was widened to 125 feet by the direct Construction was completed in September 1958. The placement of sand. project cost $141,400. The cost of the project was $176,500. Compo Beach Cummings Park Cummings Park is located at the head of Westcott Cove Compo Beach in Westport is situated on both the east in eastern Stamford. and west sides of Cedar Point, at the entrance to the The beach erosion control improvements at Cummings Saugatuck River. Park were constructed in three phases: The project was completed in two phases: - Approximately 1000 feet of beach was widened to 125 Two 500-foot-long groins were constructed. The first feet by the direct placement of sand, groin was constructed at Hills Point on the eastern * The length of the existing groin near the center of the @Mg" side of the beach, and the second was built on the beach was extended to 400 feet; and US Army Corps of Engineers Colf Pasture Beach in Norwalk The inshore end of the existing jettv at the western Gulf Beach end of the beach was raised two feet to 13 feet The placement of sand was completed in October 1960, Gulf Beach is located on the eastern shore of Milford and the groin andjettv were completed in November 1960 Outer Harbor, locallN known as "The Gulf," near the The cost of the project %%as $80,700 mouth of the Wepawaug River in Milford The beach erosion control project at Gulf Beach con- sisted of widening about 1200 feet of beach to 100 feet by Guilford Point Beach the direct placement of sand This work cost $64,000 and Guilford Point is situated in the southeastern section of was completed in May 1957 Guilford The beach is located on the eastern side of Guil- fod Point, at the mouth of the East River Gulf Street The project was built in two phases They included The construction of a 300-foot-long gro- at the east Gulf Street in Milford extends northward from Welches end of the beach in September 1957 Point Road, immediate IN inshore of Gulf Beach, and crosses The widening of approximately 400 feet of beach to the lower end of Gulf Pond before terminating at U S 125 feet by the direct placement of sand in September Route 1 1959 The project provides for 140 feet of stone slope protec- The total cost of the project was $46,900 tion that stabilizes the road embankment behind the Gulf Beach in Mulford Connecticut 1991 75 Connecticut 1991 southern end of Gulf Beach. Gulf Street is a small project designed to prevent shoreline erosion, and was built under Section 14 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. The project was initiated and completed in the summer of 1987 at a cost of $200,000. K Hammonasset Hammonasset Beach is located in Hammonasset State Park in Madison. The beach extends along the entire southwestern shore of Hammonasset Point. Work on the project, completed injune 1955, consisted of- � Widening a 10,000-foot stretch of beach by the direct placement of sand. The beach was widened by 50 feet at the cast end, increasing to 100 feet approaching the west end. � Constructing two training walls at Toms Creek on the western end of the beach. One wall is 320 feet long, and the other is 400 feet long. � Constructing an 800-foot-long groin at Hammonasset Point on the eastern end of the beach. The stone slope protection on the Housatonic River in Salisbuly helps to sta- � The project cost $489,600. bilize both the riverbank and Dugway Road. Housatonic River., Salisbury The project consists of a 380-foot-long groin on the west- ern end of Lighthouse Point Beach. It was constructed in The Housatonic River project is located in the Amesville September 1958 at a cost of $11,800. section of Salisbury. The project area is situated along the west bank of the Housatonic River adjacent to Dugway Road, between Falls Mountain Road and Brenton Hill Middle Beach Road. .The project consists of stone slope protection that Middle Beach is a narrow beach situated midway along strengthens a 350-foot reach of the riverbank, reducing the Madison shorefront, opposite Tuxis Island and imme- erosion damage and stabilizing the roadway. It is a small diately southward of the town center. project designed to prevent streambank erosion, and was The project consists of a 20-foot-wide, 700-foot-long built under Section 14 of the Corps' Continuing Autho- revetment. It was completed in May 1957 and cost $26,400. rities Program. Construction took place betweenjanuary-july 1981 and Connecticut River, cost $102,800. The project is maintained by Salisbury. Middletown Jennings Beach and Middletown is located approximately 15 miles south of Ash Creek Hartford and 20 miles northeast of New Haven. Middle- town is bordered to the cast by the Connecticut River. Jennings Beach is located at the mouth of Ash Creek in Streambank erosion along the Connecticut River in the the eastern end of Fairfield. vicinity of River Road at the intersection with Eastern The project atJennings Beach is an 800-foot-long jetty Drive is threatening a public road (River Road), a water at the northeastern end of the beach. It was constructed in main, and a sewage treatment facility. In order to protect 1951 at a cost of $43,200. the areas subject to the erosion, the Corps has designed a grid block revetment with a stone toe approximately 600 feet long and I I feet high. Lighthouse Point Park Construction of the revetment is scheduled for Novem- ber 1991 throughJanuary 1992. The estimated cost of the Lighthouse Point Park is located at the entrance to New project is $380,000. The project is authorized under Sec- Haven Harbor at the southeastern tip of New Haven. A tion 14, Emergency Streambank and Shoreline Protection city-owned beach extends along the southern shore of the of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. point to Morris Creek. US Army Corps of Engineers Nonewaug River, Woodbury Port V Facility, Bridgeport The Nonewaug River project is located on the None- The Port V Facility of the National Association of Naval waug River in the North Woodbury section of Woodbury. Veterans is located on the shorefront in Bridgeport. The project consists of a 2 1 0-foot-long gabion retaining The project consists of a stone retaining wall and stone wall along the left riverbank, with stone slope protection slope protection constructed by the Corps over a 250-foot along its base. The retaining wall adds stability to the stretch of the shoreline. It protects the naval facility by Middle Road Turnpike, which had been threatened by limiting erosion caused by wave action. Port V is a small erosion. It is a small project designed to prevent stream- project and was built under Section 14 of the Corps' Con- bank erosion, and was built under Section 14 of the Corps' tinuing Authorities Program. Continuing Authorities Program. Construction took place between March-June 1984 and Construction began in November 1983 and was finished cost $160,000. in August 1984. The project cost $164,000. The gabion retaining wall on the Nonewaug River in Woodbug. 01 . . ......... V.;" Stone slope protection and a stone retaining wall help safeguard the Port V Faciliy in Bridgeport. Connecticut 1991 The retaining wall on the Salmon River in Z@ww. /AWAA @L Colchester was designed to enhance the theme pre- sented by the Old Comstock Covered Bridge, a site listed on the National Register ofHistoric Places. The wall can be seen in the background. -W K- n 7 _0 Prospect Beach The project involved: e Constructing a 400-foot-long groin at the western end Prospect Beach lies near the southwestern end of the of the widened beach area. This was completed in West Haven shorefront, near New Haven Harbor. May 1958. The project, which was finished in May 1957 and cost 0 Widening about 900 feet of the central portion of the $345,400, was completed in two steps: beach to 100 feet by the direct placement of sand. � Approximately 6000 feet of beach was widened to 100 This was completed injuly 1958. feet by the direct placement of sand (The south end The total cost of the project was $71,300. of the beach was widened to 150 feet). The area of im- provement begins at Ivy Street (about 1500 feet south Sea Bluff Beach of Bradley Point) and ends about 350 feet south of South Street. Sea Bluff Beach, bounded by Cove River and Pleasant � Eight groins, varying in length from 250 to 330 feet, Beach, lies along the westerly side of New Haven Harbor were constructed. in the city of West Haven. This erosion control project was completed injanuary 1991 at a cost of $323,000 and involved the following work: Salmon River, Colchester - Approximately 1,000 feet of beach was widened by The Salmon River project lies along the right bank of direct placement of about 14,300 cubic yards of sand the Salmon River, principally in the western limits of Col- to produce approximately 122 feet of usable beach chester and continuing a short distance downstream into above mean high water. East Hampton. The project, a retaining wall of precast concrete blocks resting on concrete footing, reduces erosion along a 250- foot stretch of the north riverbank. It protects Brown's Wm Mill Road in Colchester and the right abutment of the Old Comstock Covered Bridge in East Hampton, a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The wall was designed to enhance the theme presented by the historical covered bridge setting. The Salmon River project is a small project designed to prevent streambank erosion, and was built under Section 14 of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. It was con- structed between May-September 1982, and cost $246,500. __P Sasco Hill Beach Sasco Hill Beach in Fairfield extends eastward from the breakwater at the east side of the Southport Harbor entrance to Kensie Point. Sasco Hill Beach in Fairfield. US Army Corps of Engineers � Reconstruction of the Ivy Street Groin using approxi- lengths of 400 and 500 feet, were constructed in Feb- mately 480 tons of core stone and approximately 500 ruary 1957. tons of armor stone, widening and raising the groin The widening of both beaches (A total of 6000 feet of about one foot in elevation and adding approximately shoreline) to 150 feet by the direct placement of sand. 40 feet in length. About 2000 feet of beach (1000 feet east and 1000 feet � Planting of about 10,500 square feet of beach grass. west of Sherwood Point) was widened an additional � Setting up 470 linear feet of sand trap fence and, 100 feet. This work was completed injune 1957. along the parking area, installing approximately 425 The second major improvement was a small project, linear feet of timber curbing. built under Section 103 of the Corps' Continuing Autho- With proper operation and maintenance, this project is rities Program. It was completed injanuary 1983 and cost expected to provide erosion protection for Ocean Avenue $1.5 million. This work involved: for many years to come, while allowing the community to 9 Widening 1800 feet of Elwood Beach, from the west- enjoy this renewed resource. ern groin to Sherwood Point. 0 Constructing a 430-foot-long groin about 900 feet west of Sherwood Point. Seaside Park 0 Lowering the height of the western groin's landward Seaside Park in Bridgeport extends about two miles end. westward from Breezy Point at Bridgeport Harbor to the breakwater on Fayerweather Island, on the eastern side of Short Beach Black Rock Harbor. The project consists of approximately 8800 feet of beach Short Beach is located in Stratford, immediately north widened to 125 feet by the direct placement of sand. It was of Stratford Point, at the western side of the mouth of the completed in April 1957 and cost $480,000. Housatonic River. It fronts a major marshland area. The project at Short Beach involved the widening of about 2500 feet of beach to 125 feet by the direct place- Sherwood Island State Park ment of sand. The sand was obtained from the Housatonic Sherwood Island State Park in Westport is part of Sher- River at no cost to the federal government because of wood Island, a low coastal area separated from the main- Corps' dredging activities underway at that time. land by Sherwood Pond to the west and small tidal creeks The widening of the beach was completed injune 1955. to the east. The park has two beaches that lie on either side of Sher-wood Point-Alvord Beach on the cast and Silver Beach to Cedar Beach Elwood Beach on the west. The Corps has helped to control erosion on the Alvord This project helps to stem beach erosion at a series of and Elwood Beaches with two major projects constructed contiguous beaches in Milford, extending from Meadows at different times. The first project, which cost $600,000, End (opposite Charles Island) to the vicinity of the mouth consists of- of the Housatonic River. The beaches include Silver Beach � A 500-foot-long groin at the western end of Elwood and Meadows End (both part of Silver Sands State Park) as Beach. This was built in October 1956. well as Myrtle, Walnut, Laurel, and Cedar Beaches. � Two training walls at Burial Hill Creek, situated on The project originally called for widening 15,600 feet of the eastern end of the beach. The walls, which have shore surrounding these beaches to 100 feet by the direct N", M Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. Connecticut 1991 Southport Beach in Fairfield. placement of sand (Meadows End would be widened to 150 Southport Beach feet). Eleven groins would be constructed to help retain sand if found to be needed. Southport Beach in southwestern Fairfield extends InJune 1955, Cedar Beach and the western end of about 2200 feet west from Southport Harbor to Sasco Laurel Beach were widened to 100 feet. Sand for this part Brook, which marks the Fairfield-Westport town line. of the project was obtained from the Housatonic River at The project involved: no cost to the federal government because of Corps' dredg- * Constructing a 400-foot-long groin at the western end ing activities underway at that time. In 1960, parts of Silver of the widened beach area. This was completed in and Myrtle Beaches (about 4500 feet) were widened to 100 1956. feet, and Meadows End was widened to 250 feet. The cost 0 Widening about 700 feet of the beach to 100 feet by of this work was $335,000. the direct placement of sand. This was completed in The widening of Walnut Beach and the rest of Silver, July 1958. Myrtle, and Laurel Beaches, as well as the construction of The total cost of the project was $52,900. the groins, have yet to be completed pending notification to the Corps from state officials. Farmington River, Simsbury Simsbury is located in north-central Connecticut, ap- proximately 25 miles east of the New York-Connecticut state line and 14 miles northwest of the city of Hartford. Streambank erosion along the Farmington River is threatening an existing 36 inch main trunk sewer line which is located along the side of a hill adjacent to and west of the river. In order to protect the sewer main from significant damage, the Corps has designed a stone revet- 7:_ ment approximately 900 feet long. Construction of the revetment is scheduled for late summer 1992. The estimated cost of the project is $445,000. The project is authorized under Section 14, Emergency Streambank and Shoreline Protection of the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program. Squantz Pond in New Fairfield. US Army Corps of Engineers Squantz Pond, New Fairfield Woodmont Shore Squantz Pond is located along the eastern flank of Woodmont Shore is located in Milford in the borough Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield. of Woodmont. It includes a small pocket beach immedi- The project consists of a timber bulkhead with sand and ately west of Merwin Point and a larger beach extending gravel fills constructed along 1200 feet of the pond's south- northward from Merw'n Point to the vicinity of the 0 1 yster ern end. It is a small project designed to prevent shoreline River. erosion, and was built under Section 14 of the Corps' The beach erosion control project, which was finished in Continuing Authorities Program. June 1959 and cost $165,500, was completed in three steps: The project began in September 1982 and was completed - About 500 feet of shore in the beach area west of in November 1983. Construction costs totalled $115,400. Merwin Point was widened to 100 feet by the direct placement of sand; � Approximately 3500 feet of shore, stretching north from Chapel Street at Merwin Point to an area about 400 feet north of Anderson Avenue, was widened to 100 feet; and � Five groins 300-400 feet long were constructed. Connecticut 1991 STUDIES Connecticut 1991 m Studies Before taking measures to resolve a water resources Rippowarn River problem, the Corps will study the affected area to deter- Design plans are continuing for a flood control plan on mine if a project is feasible. The study examines a wide the Rippowam River in Stamford. The project, to be con- range of potential solutions based on their economic and structed under Section 205 of the Continuing Authorities ,engineering practicality, acceptability, and impact on the (Small Projects) Program, involves the modi ,fication of environment. Main Street Dam by the Corps and nonstructural mea- Listed below are areas in Connecticut where the Corps sures to be implemented by the city. has examined the feasibility of building major projects for When completed, the project will protect the highly flood damage reduction, navigation, or shore and bank urbanized area along the lower two miles of the river. protection purposes. Flood Damage Reduction Navigation Housatonic River Basin Stonington Harbor The Corps investigated flood control and water supply The Corps has completed a reconnaissance level study problems of 22 communities in the Housatonic River of navigation improvements to Stonington Harbor. The Basin, including Bridgeport, Waterbury, and Danbury, study, prepared under Section 107 of the Continuing Au- Connecticut and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This area is thorities Program, recommends a detailed feasibility study experiencing rapid population, industrial, and commercial of wave protection improvements for the commercial fish- growth, with accompanying water resource problems and ing fleet. The town of Stonington is pursuing funds for needs. which to participate in the cost-shared study. For flood control, the study recommended the develop- ment of a floodplain management program to regulate Shore and Bank Protection future development in the floodplain. It was also recom- mended that additional studies for flood damage reduction be coordinated through the Continuing Authorities (Small East Haven Projects) Program. Information developed from the study The Corps is presently conducting a reconnaissance regarding water supply demands and needs was made avail- study of the shoreline running east from Caroline Creek to able to Connecticut, Massachusetts, and other interests as Bradford Creek. This area includes Silver Sands Beach and a guide for future action. Momaguin Beach. The study is scheduled for completion in 1991 and is being conducted under Section 103 of the Long Island Sound Continuing Authorities Program. Ocean storm surges and wind-driven waves have caused high tide levels and flooding along a 30-mile stretch of the Prospect Beach Long Island Sound coastline in central Connecticut. Con- This study, prepared under Section 103 of the Continu- necticut officials have identified this reach as the state's ing Authorities Program, found shore protection improve- highest coastal flood hazard area. The coastal reach cuts ments at Prospect Beach to be in the Federal interest. across eight communities: Westport, Fairfield, Bridgeport, Plans call for widening and elevating the beach. A Detailed Stratford, Milford, West Haven, New Haven, and East Project Report is pending approval as the basis for project Haven. The area is characterized by residential areas plans and specifications. bordering on long stretches of beach and waterfront, as well as commercial and industrial development (mostly in Woodmont Beach Bridgeport and New Haven). A cost shared feasibility study under Section 103 of the The purpose of the Corps' study is to determine the fea- Corps Continuing Authorities Program was completed in sibility of measures to reduce tidal flood damages and to 1990. The recommended plan of improvement will provide guide the prudent use of coastal or estuarine flood areas. additional shore protection by widening and elevating the As part of the study, flooding problems along the Thames beach. Once project plans and specifications are approved, River estuary in the Thamesville section of Norwich were construction will begin pending receipt of the necessary investigated and examined. The results indicated that flood local assurances. warning and evacuation measures, implemented by the city, would provide the maximum net benefits for the area. The study is continuing. US Army Corps of Engineers APPENDIX 0 Connecticut 1991 m Communities with Corps Projects The communities listed below have either Corps' lands Reduction, Navigation, or Shore and Bank Protection), and or Corps-built projects lying within their borders. The list- the page number in this booklet where the project is ing indicates the project name, its purpose (Flood Damage described. Community Project Name Ansonia Ansonia Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 46 Branford Branford Harbor (Navigation) 57 Stony Creek (Navigation) 68 Bridgeport Black Rock Harbor (Navigation) 56 Bridgeport Harbor (Navigation) 57 Port V (Shore and Bank Protection) 77 Seaside Park (Shore and Bank Protection) 79 Chaplin Mansfield Hollow Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 36 Chester Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Clinton Clinton Harbof (Navigation) 58 Duck Island Harbor (Navigation) 60 Colchester Salmon River (Shore and Bank Protection) 78 Colebrook Colebrook River Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 32 Cromwell Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Danbug Danbury Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 46 Darien Fivemile River Harbor (Navigation) 60 Deep River Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Derby Derby Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 47 Housatonic River (Navigation) 62 Dudley, AIL4 West Thompson Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 38 East Derby Housatonic River (Navigation) 62 East Haddam Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 East Hampton Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Salmon River (Shore and Bank Protection) 78 East Har@ford East Hartford Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 48 Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 East Haven New Haven Harbor (Navigation) 63 East Lyme Niantic Bay and Harbor (Navigation) 65 Essex Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Fairfield Jennings Beach and Ash Creek (Shore and Bank Protection) 76 Sasco Hill Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 78 Southport Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 80 Southport Harbor (Navigation) 67 Glastonbuiy Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Goshen Hall Meadow Brook Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 33 US Army Corps of Engineers Community Project Name Greenwich Byram River Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 46 Greenwich Harbor (Navigation) 61 Mianus River (Navigation) 62 Groton Mystic River (Navigation) 62 Thames River (Navigation) 68 Gui@ford Guilford Harbor (Navigation) 61 Guilford Point Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 75 Haddam Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Haqford Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Hartford Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 48 Harwinton Thomaston Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 38 Ledyard Thames River (Navigation) .68 Litchfield Northfield Brook Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 37 Thomaston Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 38 Lyme Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Madison Hammonasset Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 76 Middle Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 76 Mansfield Mansfield Hollow Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 36 Middlebug Hop Brook Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 35 Middletown Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Mi @fo rd Gulf Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 75 Gulf Street (Shore and Bank Protection) 75 Housatonic River (Navigation) 62 Milford Harbor (Navigation) 62 Silver Beach to Cedar Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 79 Woodmont Shore (Shore and Bank Protection) 81 Montville Thames River (Navigation) 68 Naugatuck Hop Brook Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 35 New Fairfield Squantz Pond (Shore and Bank Protection) 81 New Haven Lighthouse Point Park (Shore and Bank Protection) 76 New Haven Harbor (Navigation) 63 New London New London Harbor (Navigation) 64 New London Hurricane Protection Barrier (Flood Damage Reduction) 42 Thames River (Navigation) 68 North Canaan North Canaan Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 49 Norwalk Calf Pasture Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 74 Fivemile River Harbor (Navigation) 60 Wilson Point Harbor (Navigation) 71 Norwalk Harbor (Navigation) 65 Norwalk Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 49 Norwich Norwich Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 49 Thames River (Navigation) 68 Old Saybrook Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Connecticut 1991 Community Project Name OldLyme Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Plymouth Hancock Brook Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 34 Thomaston Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 38 Portland Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Rocky Hill Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Salisbug Housatonic River (Shore and Bank Protection) 76 Sandisfield, AL4 Colebrook River Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 32 Saugatuck Westport Harbor and Saugatuck River (Navigation) 71 Shelton Housatonic River (Navigation) 62 Stamford Cove Island Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 74 Cummings Park Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) '74 Stamford Harbor (Navigation) 68 Stamford Hurricane Protection Barrier (Flood Damage Reduction) 43 Westcott Cove (Navigation) 70 Stonington Mystic River (Navigation) 62 Pawcatuck Hurricane Protection Barrier (Flood Damage Reduction) 42 Pawcatuck River and Little Narragansett Bay (Navigation) 66 Stonington Harbor (Navigation) 68 Stratford Housatonic River (Navigation) 62 Short Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 79 Thomaston Black Rock Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 32 Northfield Brook Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 37 Thomaston Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 38 Thompson West Thompson Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 38 Tolland, AL4 Colebrook River Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 32 Torrington East Branch Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 33 Hall Meadow Brook Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 33 Torrington (East Branch) Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 50 Torrington (West Branch) Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 51 Waterbu?y Hop Brook Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 35 Waterbury/Watertown Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 51 Waterford Niantic Bay and Harbor (Navigation) 65 Thames River (Navigation) 68 Watertown Black Rock Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 32 Waterbury/Watertown Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 51 West Chester, N.Y. Port Chester Harbor (Navigation) 67 West Haven New Haven Harbor (Navigation) 63 Prospe'ct Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 78 Westbrook Patchogue River (Navigation) 66 Westport Burial Hill Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 74 Compo Beach (Shore and Bank Protection) 74 Sherwood Island State Park (Shore and Bank Protection) 79 Westport Harbor and Saugatuck River (Navigation) 71 US Army Corps of Engineers Community Project Name Wethersfield Connecticut River (Navigation) 58 Folly Brook Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 48 Winchester Mad River Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 52 Sucker Brook Dam (Flood Damage Reduction) 37 Winsted Local Protection Project (Flood Damage Reduction) 53 Windham Mansfield Hollow Lake (Flood Damage Reduction) 36 Woodbuiy Nonewaug River (Shore and Bank Protection) 77 Connecticut 1991 Glossary Anchorage--an area dredged to a certain depth to allow Floodwalls-rei nforced concrete walls that act as barriers boats and ships to moor or anchor. against floodwaters and confin.-, them to the river chan- Bedrock-rock of relatively great thickness lying in its nel, protecting flood prone areas. Floodwalls are usually native location. built in areas with a limited amount of space. Brea kwaters-structures, usually built offshore, that pro- Gabion Wall-a retaining wall constructed of stone-filled tect the shoreline, harbor, channels, and anchorages by wire mesh baskets. intercepting the energy of approaching waves. Groins-structures that extend perpendicular from the Bulkheads-steel sheet piling or timber walls that pre- shore in a fingerlikernanner to trap and retain sand, vent sliding of the land and protect the streambank or retardingerosion and maintaining shore alignment and shoreline from erosion. stability. ConcluitS-concrete tunnels or pipes that divert floodwa- Hurricane Protection Barriers- -structures built across ters around or under potential flood damage sites. harbors or near the shoreline that protect communities Culverts--large pipes, usually constructed below bridges from tidal surges and coastal s:orm flooding. They are and other water crossings, that allow water to pass often constructed with openings for navigational pur- downstream and provide support to the crossing. poses. Dikes-earthfill barriers that confine floodwaters to the Intake Structure--found at the critrance to a conduit or river channel, protecting flood prone areas. other outlet facility, an intake 3tructure allows water to Drainage Area-the total land area where surface water drain from a reservoir or river and is equipped with a runs off and collects in a stream or series or streams trash rack or other feature that prevents clogging from that make up a single watershed. floating debris. Drop Structure--a device in a stream or channel that Jetties-structures that stabilize a channel by preventing prevents water from rising above a certain elevation. the buildup of sediment and directing and confining Once water reaches a certain level, excess water passes the channel's tidal flow.jettieL@, are usually built at the over the structure and is diverted to another body of mouth of rivers and extend perpendicular from the water. shore. Earthfill-a well graded mixture of soil containing princi- Outlet Works-gated conduits, usually located at the pally gravel, sand, silt, and clay, which is used with base of a dam, that regulate tLe discharge of water. other materials to construct dams, dikes, and hurricane Pumping Station-a structure containing pumps that protection barriers. discharges floodwaters from a protected area over or Environmental Assessment-an examination of the through a dike or floodwall anii into a river or ocean. positive and adverse impacts on the environment of Reconnaissance Study-a preliminary study that exam- a proposed water resources solution and alternative ines a wide range of potential :;olutions to a water re- solutions. sources problem, each of which is reviewed for its eco- Environmental Impact Statement-a detailed envi- nomic and engineering practicality, acceptability, and ronmental analysis and documentation of a proposed impact on the environment. water resources solution when the proposed solution is Recreation Pool-any permanent body of water im- expected to have a significant effect on the quality of pounded by a dam that offers recreational opportun- the human environment or the area's ecology. ities or promotes fishery and wildlife habitat. Feasibility Study-a detailed investigation, conducted Retaining Walls--walls made of'stone, reinforced con- after the reconnaissance study is completed, that crete, precast concrete blocks, or gabion that support recommends a specific solution to a water resource streambanks weakened by cro iion. problem. Revetment-a facing of stone or concrete constructed Floodplain-the land adjoining a river, stream, ocean, or along a backshore or riverbank to protect against ero- lake that is likely to be flooded during periods of excess sion or flooding. precipitation or abnormal high tide. Sand Drain-a layer of pervious materials, such as sand Flood proof i ng-structural measures incorporated in the and gravel, placed beneath thc downstream section of a design of planned buildings or alterations added to ex- dam that carries seepage to the dam's downstream lim- isting ones that lessen the potential for flood damage. its and out into the stream. For example, existing structures could have their base- Sand Replishment-quantities of sand placed on a shore- ment windows blocked, or structures in the design stage line to restore or widen a beach's dimensions. Sand could be built on stilts or high foundations. replenishment strengthens beaches affected by erosion, protects the backshore from Aave action, and stops the inland advance of water. US Army Corps of Engineers Seawall-a reinforced concrete wall built along a shore- Training DikL--a structure extending from the shore into line to protect against erosion or flooding. the water that redirects the current, preventing sedi- Snagging and Clearing-the removal of accumulated ment from settling and ensuring that adequate depths snags and debris, such as fallen trees, dead brush, and are maintained. silt, from river and stream channels. Snagging and Training Wall-a structure built along channel banks to clearing improves a channel's flow capacity and elimi- narrow the channel area, thereby controlling the velo- nates a potentially dangerous flood situation. city of the flow of water and preventing the buildup of Spillway-a channel-shaped structurc, usually made of sediment. Training walls and training dikes have the concrete or excavatedin rock, that allows water exceed- same purpose: to ensure adequate depths are main- ing the storage capacity of a reservoir to pass through tained. or around a dam instead of overtopping it. Vehicular Gate-an, opening in a dike or floodwall that Stone Slope Protection-a layer of large stones, usually allows rail cars or other vehicles to pass over the struc- underlain by a layer of gravel bedding, designed to pre- ture during nonflood periods. Vehicular gates can be vent erosion from strearnflow, wave attack, and runoff. closed during flood periods by either stoplogs or large Stoplog Structure--a designed opening in a floodwall or steel gates. dike that allows the passage of water during non-flood Weir-a concrete structure designed as part of the spill- periods but closes during flood periods to prevent flood- way that allows water to flow from the reservoir and ing downstream. Stoplog structures can be made of over the spillway. wood or steel or concrete beams. Connecticut 1991 Index Ansonia Local Protection Project 46 Hancock Brook Lake 34 Appendix 85 Hartford Local Protection Projeci 48 Authorization and Planning Process for Hop Brook Lake 35 Water Resources Projects 6 Housatonic River Basin 84 Housatonic River Basin Study 84 Black Rock Harbor 56 Housatonic River 62 Black Rock Lake 32 Housatonic River, Salisbury 76 Branford Harbor 57 Hurricane Protection Barriers 41 Bridgeport Harbor 57 Hydropower 17 Burial Hill Beach 74 Byram River, Greenwich Local Protection Project 46 Introduction 4 Calf Pasture Beach 74 Jennings Beach and Ash Creek 76 Clinton Harbor 58 Civil Works Over-view 3 Lighthouse Point Park 76 Colebrook River Lake 32 Long Island Sound Study 84 Communities with Corps'Projects (Alphabetical Listing) 86 Mad River, Waterbury (Woodticl:) 52 Compo Beach 74 Mansfield Hollow Lake 36 Connecticut River 58 Mianus River 62 Connecticut River Basin 27 Middle Beach 76 Connecticut River, Middleton 76 Milford Harbor 62 Cove Island Beach 74 Mystic River 62 Cummings Park Beach 74 Navigation (General) 54 Dams and Reservoirs 31 Navigation (Projects) 55 Danbury Local Protection Project 46 New Haven Harbor 63 Derby Local Protection Project 47 New London Harbor 64 Description of Projects 23 New London Hurricane Protection Barrier 42 Duck Island Harbor 60 Niantic Bay and Harbor 65 Nonewaug River, Woodbury 77 East Branch Dam 33 North Canaan Local Protection Project 49 East Hartford Local Protection Project 47 Northfield Brook Lake 37 East Haven Study 84 Norwalk Local Protection Project 49 Emergency Response and Recovery 21 Norwalk Harbor 65 Environmental Quality 18 Norwich Local Protection Project 50 Farmington River, Simsbury 80 Patcho gue River 66 Fivemile River Harbor 60 Pawcatuck River and Narraganse:t Bay 66 Flood Control and Flood Plain Management 7 Pawcatuck Hurricane Protection 'Barrier 42 Flood Damage Reduction (Projects) 30 Pawcatuck River Basin 28 Flooding in New England 9 Port Chester Harbor 67 Folly Brook, Wethersfield Local Protection Project 48 Port V Facility, Bridgeport 77 Prospect Beach 78 Glossary 90 Prospect Beach Study 84 Greenwich Harbor 61 Guilford Harbor 61 Recreation 20 Guilford Point Beach 75 Regulatory Programs 19 Gulf Beach 75 Rippowarn River Study 84 Gulf Street 75 River Basins 25 Hall Meadow Brook Dam 33 Salmon River, Colchester 78 Hammonasset Beach 76 Sasco Hill Beach 78 US Army Corps of Engineers Seaside Bluff Beach 78 Thames River Basin 29 Seaside Park 79 Thomaston Dam 38 Sherwood Island State Park 79 Torrington (East) Local Protection Project 50 Shore and Bank Protection (Projects) 73 Torrington (West) Local Protection Project 51 Short Beach 79 Silver Beach to Cedar Beach 79 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Programs Southport Beach 80 and Services I Southport Harbor 67 Squantz Pond, New Fairfield 81 Water Supply 18 Stamford Harbor 68 Waterbury/Watertown Local Protection Project 51 Stamford Hurricane Protection Barrier 43 Westcott Cove 70 Stonington Harbor 68 Westport Harbor and Saugatuck River 71 Stonington Harbor Study 84 West Rive, New Haven 52 Stony Creek 68 West Thompson Lake 38 Studies 84 Wilson Point Harbor 71 Sucker Brook Dam 37 Winsted Local Protection Project 53 Woodmont Beach Study 84 Thames River 68 Woodmont Shore 81 Connecticut 1991 Public Affairs Office Bulk Rate New England Division U.S. Postage U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Paid 424 Trapelo Road Waltham, XIA Waltham, MA 02254-9149 Permit No. 56723 Meter Code 40 U.S. Dept. of Commerce 3300 Whitehaven St NW Washington, DC 20235-0001 J 3 6668 00001 3021