Fifty years ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, completed the West Thompson Lake Dam to keep the citizens of Connecticut safe from devastating floods.
On Oct. 3, residents traveled to the project to commemorate its construction and to celebrate the faithful service it has provided.
Project Manager Ed Greenough served as Master of Ceremonies for the West Thompson Dam celebration. Nearly 200 people braved the cold temperatures and cloudy skies to be a part of the event.
Father Edward Dempsey gave the invocation at the beginning of the ceremony. Father Dempsey has a close association with West Thompson Dam as his late father John Dempsey was Governor of Connecticut and was present at the dam’s original dedication.
Col. Christopher Barron, New England District Commander, spoke during the official ceremony. “In August 1955, Hurricane Diane blew across Long Island Sound and hit the southern New England shore,” he said. “The countryside had already been soaked by an earlier storm when the hurricane dumped another 12-20 inches of rain. Streams gushed and rivers jumped their banks, washing away bridges, roads, homes and businesses.”
According to Col. Barron, 90 people lost their lives and more than $540 million worth of damage was done. In August of that year, President Eisenhower declared much of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island disaster areas.
Construction of West Thompson Dam, which is located on the Quinebaug River began in 1963 and was completed in October 1965 at a cost of $7 million. “What you see out there is what we call an earth-fill dam with slope protection,” said Col. Barron. “It is 70-feet-high and almost half a mile long. The lake can store over 8 billion gallons of water for flood risk management.”
As of the beginning of October 2015, the dam has prevented more than $56.4 million in flood damages.
Although flood risk management is West Thompson’s number one mission, the project area also serves as an excellent recreation resource. More than 96,000 visitors annually take advantage of the swimming, picnicking, fishing, hunting, boating and snowmobiling.
“The reservoir also contributes to the health of the surrounding communities through a variety of recreational and educational interpretive programs,” said Col. Barron. “Families, friendships and social values are strengthened, public safety is increased and the local economy is supported. We have been proud to be part of that for the last 50 years.”
Other speakers included Col. Gerald Lukowski, Connecticut Air Reserve National Guard and Thompson First Selectman Paul Lensky. The New England District Ranger Color Guard (Jason Robinson, Steven Patchkofsky, Jennifer Samela and Matt Coleman) presented and retired the colors. Joy Lavalle sang the National Anthem. A cake cutting ceremony followed the speeches.
West Thompson Lake and its partners had a multitude of displays and activities on hand for the celebration. Historical and cultural exhibits were sponsored by the Aspinock Historical Society, Thompson Historical Society, the Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group, Thompson Recreation Department, Connecticut Outboard Association, Boy Scout Troop 66, and Marianapolis Prep School Crew Team. The Last Green Valley sponsored an Envirospace Interactive Display. The New England District hosted a furs and skulls touch table as well as dam tours throughout the morning and into the afternoon.
The West Thompson Lake project is one of 35 dams across New England which is part of an intricate flood risk management network that includes 112 local protection projects and five hurricane barriers. “Many of these projects were authorized and built after catastrophic floods in the 1930’s and 1950’s,” said Col. Barron. “Our engineers and rangers do an excellent job in managing this complex system and reducing flood risk to people and property throughout New England and have turned an investment of roughly $538 million over the last 60-70 years into prevention of flood damages exceeding $6.5 billion."
Basin Manager Adam Durando, Park Manager Ed Greenough, Park Rangers Jason Robinson, Catherine St. Andre, Michelle Cucchi, and others from around the District participated and/or organized the West Thompson Lake event.