CONCORD, Mass. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, the communities of Thomaston and Litchfield, along with several other agencies and groups will observe the 50th anniversary of the construction of the Northfield Brook Lake project in a ceremony on Oct. 3, 2015 in Thomaston, Conn.
“This project is a great example of applied engineering and science successfully mitigating flood risk and damage, and adding immeasurable value to the region,” said District Engineer Col. Christopher Barron, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, headquartered in Concord, Mass. "This dam has protected downstream citizens in Connecticut for 50 years. It has proven to be a very successful investment of time and money, preventing more than $75.8 million in flood damages since its construction."
Construction of the dam at Northfield Brook Lake, on the Northfield Brook in Thomaston, was begun in May 1963 and completed in October 1965. Cost of the project was $2.9 million.
A ceremony to observe the 50th anniversary of the completion of the flood risk management dam will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 starting at 10 a.m. at the Northfield Brook Lake Recreation Area, Route 254 in Thomaston, Conn. There will be guided tours of the dam for visitors, local history displays/talks and exhibits. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The project stores Northfield Brook floodwaters and helps to lower flood stages in downstream communities along the Naugatuck River. The project consists of an earth-fill dam with stone slope protection 810-feet-long and 118-feet-high.
The dam can store an estimated 766 million gallons of floodwater and has prevented damages to date of $75.8 million. More than 41,000 visitors annually enjoy fishing, picnicking, and hiking at Northfield Brook Lake.
For up-to-date information, call Northfield Brook Lake Park Manager Vincent Gualtieri at (860) 283-5540 or visit the lakes’ web site at www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/NorthfieldBrookLake.aspx.