Dam Question Answered In Vernon: It 'Has' To Be the Waterfall

VERNON, CT — As the politicians were generically gushing over Friday's $300,000 award by the State Bond Commission to "repair" the dam on Tankerhoosen Lake in Vernon, one resident historian on the area is trying to clear up some confusion spurred by vague state agency references.

No wonder it looked angry this week after a considerable amount of rain.

That thought drew a chuckle from local Tankerhoosen historian Jon Roe. State references leading up to Friday's Bond Commission meeting referred to the work at the "north" Tankerhoosen Lake Dam, a curious distinction considering the Tanherhoosen River itself flows east-to-west. It left town officials searching for a hidden dam somewhere along the corridor.

"But it has to be the dam we all know and love," Roe said, referring to the waterfall off of Phoenix street. "We'll see what the work entails."

One tell tale sign was a report that gave the dimensions of the "north" damm — 16 feet high, 237 feet long, first built in 1830, a maximum discharge of 1,257 cubic feet per second and a 30-foot spillway.

Roe also said the dam seems to be working "fine," even though there has been a "hazard" reference made by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Nevertheless, members of the the Vernon legislative delegation were "pleased" to welcome the $300,000 for "dam repairs and other various projects at Tankerhoosen Lake in Vernon."

State Rep. Jaime Foster (D-Ellington-East Windsor-Vernon): "You have to advocate for your district, as 169 separate towns are looking for funding through the state bond agenda. I thank the State Bond Commission and Governor Ned Lamont for seeing the need to fund this vital project at the Tankerhoosen in Vernon."

State Rep. Kevin Brown (D-Vernon): "The Tankerhoosen is a valuable gem in Vernon. It has a proud history as a source of natural beauty and recreation dating back generations. DEEP has deemed the dam as a hazard, and it is important that we take measures to remediate this problem. Many residents around the lake have expressed frustration that it has been neglected and this could be the start of improving it for the generations to come."

Rep. Tammy Nuccio (R-Tolland-Vernon-Willington), said the ranking Republican member of the Appropriations Committee: "The Tankerhoosen Lake dam has been flagged as a 'significant hazard' by DEEP, which makes the repairs made possible by this allocation vital for the neighborhood and Vernon. This is an issue that needs to be addressed, I’m glad to see progress on the project and I'd like to thank the Commission and Governor Lamont for approving these funds."

“Thank you to the Governor and the Bond Commission for approving this important funding for necessary repairs to this state-owned dam on Tankerhoosen Lake," said Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock). "The dam has been deemed as a ‘significant hazard’ by DEEP, and these repairs will restore the structure’s safety and viability. I continue to support investments in our towns, including for the Vernon community.”

State Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-35th District), a member of the Appropriations Committee: "Thank you to the Governor and the Bond Commission for approving this important funding for necessary repairs to this state-owned dam on Tankerhoosen Lake. The dam has been deemed as a ‘significant hazard’ by DEEP, and these repairs will restore the structure’s safety and viability. I continue to support investments in our towns, including for the Vernon community."