SEYMOUR, Conn — The Kinneytown Dam in Seymour is at risk of breach because of major structural issues, according to a report from officials with the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG). The dam is made up of two non-functioning powerhouse dams in Ansonia and Seymour, including Coe Pond.
The NVCOG plans to acquire and remove the Kinneytown Dam by 2026 during a multi-phase, three-year plan, said the program’s Executive Director, Rick Dunne.
The removal project was originally expected to restore the river and bring fun opportunities for the community, according to officials. But now, leaders said they are worried for the town's safety as an inspection showed problems.
“Safe to say a lot of water, about 600 acres of water, would rush down the river, out to the Housatonic, and into the Long Island Sound,” Dunne explained.
Dunne said the dam is privately owned by a company called Kinneytown Hyrdo, which Hydroland Omega owns. The company has many dams registered in its name across the United States. In this situation, the issues are the company's cost and responsibility to fix it. Dunne said that, so far, the company hasn’t come to the table willingly.
FOX61 contacted the email listed on Hydroland Omega’s website but has not received a reply as of writing. The website's contact number has been disconnected.
The NVCOG dam's infrastructure was built around 1845. It’s since been non-operational for many years and deemed abandoned. Dunne said it’s not even federally registered.
“The engineers have looked at the structure. They say it’s in poor condition, unstable, hasn’t been maintained, and there is evidence of water overtop and seeping through,” Dunne said.
Because of this, Laura Wildman with the Economic Restoration said they are advocating for a change to the landscape that would benefit everyone.
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“There will be walking trails along the side," Wildman said. "There will be boating events, and we’ve already started some of that, but this keystone we are waiting to do and remove is what will unlock the entire potential of this system."
The dam removal project has many goals, including restoring the natural river flow, eliminating dam safety concerns, reducing flooding risk, restoring fish migratory patterns, and restoring access to the river for residents and visitors.
Leaders said there is a simple fix to move forward with the project that would, in turn, fix the safety concerns for those living and working along the river. The water levels in Coe Pond need to be lowered, relieving the pressure on the crumbling dam. If all goes well, this could be done within the next 60 days.
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