Higganum Reservoir

Higganum Reservoir
Higganum Reservoir
Higganum Reservoir Location in Connecticut
Location	Haddam, Connecticut
Coordinates	41°29′20″N 72°33′34″W [1]
Type	Reservoir
Primary inflows	Ponset Brook
Primary outflows	Ponset Brook
Max. length	3,700 feet (1,100 m)
Max. width	460 feet (140 m)
Surface area	30.79 acres (12.46 ha) [2]
Average depth	13.4 feet (4.1 m) [3]
Max. depth	34 feet (10 m) [3]
Residence time	17 days [3]
Shore length^1	1.6 miles (2.6 km) [4]
Surface elevation	92 feet (28 m) [1]
Settlements	Higganum
^1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Higganum Reservoir is a 31-acre (13 ha) human-made body of water impounding Ponset Brook in the town of Haddam, Connecticut, United States. It is the primary feature of Higganum Reservoir State Park. Formed by construction of an earth dam in 1868, the reservoir was built to provide water power for the Higganum Manufacturing Company, a maker of plows and other farm equipment. Later known as Clark Cutaway Harrow, the company produced a line that included 400 types of plows, disk harrows, cider presses, hay spreaders, and carriage jacks.^[5] The reservoir's original dam had a maximum height of 48 feet and a total length of embankment (including the spillway) of approximately 875 feet.^[4] It was reconstructed by the state in 2003.^[5] The dam is located at the reservoir's north end;^[2] a boat launch maintained by the state is found at its south end.^[6]

References

1. "Higganum Reservoir". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
2. "Higganum Reservoir" (PDF). Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. September 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
3. "Water-Quality Characteristics of Selected Public Recreational Lakes and Ponds in Connecticut" (PDF). U.S. Geological Survey. 1995. p. 105. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
4. Higganum Reservoir Dam Phase 1 Inspection Report (PDF) (Report). National Dam Inspection Program. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. July 1978. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
5. "Landmarks: Higganum Reservoir Dam". The Haddam Historical Society. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
6. "Higganum Reservoir Boat Launch". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. June 1, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2018.