Colebrook River Lake is located on the Farminton River in Colebrook, Connecticut, and is a part of a network of flood control dams on tributaries of the Connecticut River. Completed in 1969 at a cost of $14.3 million, 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. Colebrook River Lake can store up to 16.56 billion gallons of water for flood control purposes.

The Reservoir Regulation Team (RRT), is the "nerve center" for the New England flood control dams such as Colebrook River Lake. Using radio and satellite communications, RRT constantly monitors river levels and weather conditions that influence flood control decisions.

Corps personnel, in conjunction with RRT, regulate the amount of water released downstream by raising or lowering the three 4'X 8' gates located in the gatehouse at the dam. In a time of high water, the gates are lowered in order to hold back the water, only to be released when downstream river conditions begin to recede.

A hydroelectric power facility at Colebrook River Lake, 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.

Click here for current water levels at Colebrook River Lake/West Branch Farmington River.