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The dam at Hop Brook lake is located 1.6 miles above the point where Hop Brook
flows into the Naugatuck River. Completed in 1968 at a cost of $6.1 million, the dam is a part of a network of seven flood control reservoirs built by the Corps of Engineers in the
Naugatuck River Basin. 
The Reservoir Regulation Team (RRT), in Concord, Massachusetts directs the water
regulation activities for the New England flood control reservoirs such as Hop Brook Lake. By way of radio and satellite
communications, RRT constantly monitors river levels and weather conditions that influence flood control decisions.
The most recent significant flood control operation for Hop Brook Lake was on September 16, 1999,
when tropical storm Floyd hit the New England area producing 4 to 8 inches of rainfall and strong coastal winds. Some
areas in Connecticut recorded over 9 inches of rain. Runoff produced significant river rises and flood stage was exceeded
along the Naugatuck River. Flood control storage utilized at Hop Brook Lake was 21% with a pool level of 42.7 feet.
Hop Brook had the maximum storage for all of the New England reservoirs. The total damages prevented in Connecticut were
$25,881,000.
The two highest pool levels recorded since the completion of Hop Brook Lake were in 1982 and 1984. In June 1982,
the water level raised to 57.7 feet at the dam, utilizing 53% of the storage capacity. The second highest water
level was reported in June 1984 with a water level of 55.4 feet, utilizing 47% of the storage capacity.
Click here for current water levels at Hop Brook Lake..
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