Higganum Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Higganum Reservoir |
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 Higganum Reservoir
Location in Connecticut
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| Location | Haddam, Connecticut |
| Coordinates | 41°29′20″N 72°33′34″W / 41.48889°N 72.55944°W |
| 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) |
| Average depth | 13.4 feet (4.1 m) |
| Max. depth | 34 feet (10 m) |
| Residence time | 17 days |
| Shore length1 | 1.6 miles (2.6 km) |
| Surface elevation | 92 feet (28 m) |
| Settlements | Higganum |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
The Higganum Reservoir is a cool, man-made lake in Haddam, Connecticut. It covers about 31 acres, which is like 23 football fields! This reservoir was created by blocking a stream called Ponset Brook. It's a main part of the Higganum Reservoir State Park, a great place to visit.
Building the Higganum Reservoir
The Higganum Reservoir was built a long time ago, in 1868. People constructed an earth dam to hold back the water. The main reason for building it was to power a factory. This factory, called the Higganum Manufacturing Company, made farm tools. They produced things like plows and other equipment for farms.
Later, the company changed its name to Clark Cutaway Harrow. They made many different kinds of farm tools. This included over 400 types of plows! They also made disk harrows, machines for pressing cider, and tools for spreading hay. The reservoir's water power helped these machines work.
The Dam's History
The original dam was quite tall, about 48 feet high. Its total length, including the spillway (where extra water flows out), was about 875 feet. Over time, dams need repairs to stay safe. So, the state of Connecticut rebuilt the dam in 2003. This made sure the reservoir would be safe for many more years.
The dam is located at the northern end of the reservoir. If you want to visit, you can find a boat launch at the southern end. This launch is maintained by the state, making it easy for people to get their boats into the water.
