The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has constructed dams and reservoirs, hurricane protection barriers, and local protection projects to reduce flooding damages in Connecticut.
The 12 Corps-built dams in Connecticut protect wide regions of the state. Costing an aggregate total of $79.1 million to construct, they have prevented flood damages estimated at $1.6 billion (as of September 2011) while also offering the public a variety of recreational opportunities. The Corps owns and operates eight of the dams, while four are operated and maintained by the state.
Three hurricane protection barriers constructed by the Corps' New England District in the state dissipate hurricane tides and protect the shoreline from coastal storm flooding. Costing a total of $27.3 million to build, the barriers have prevented more than $38.4 million in flood damages. The local communities operate and maintain their respective hurricane protection barrier, except for the navigation gates at the Stamford Hurricane Protection Barrier, which are operated by the Corps.
The Corps has also completed 15 other flood risk management projects in Connecticut at a cost of $126.8 million. It is estimated that these works, more commonly referred to as local protection projects because they provide flood protection to specific communities rather than wide areas of a state, have prevented more than $528.3 million in flood damages. They are operated and maintained by the respective cities and towns.
The following items are arranged by the various types of flood risk management projects constructed by the Corps in Connecticut, and a brief history and description of each project.
Dams and Reservoirs
Hurricane Protection Barriers
Local Protection Projects