Historical Society Program To Explore Stevenson Dam

The Stevenson Dam has been in place longer than most of us who drive over its bridge can remember. On Monday, May 10, at 7:30 pm, at C.H. Booth Library, Newtown Historical Society will offer a program on “The History of the Stevenson Dam,” presented by John Babina.

The dam is one of a series of five on the Housatonic River, all constructed by CL&P to provide hydroelectric power. It was two years in the making, utilizing steam machinery and ox carts, and was finished on November 24, 1919, at a cost of $4 million.

At its peak it can generate 28,750 kilowatts. Compared to Western dams, it is on the smallish side, but in the East it seems quite large at 1,213 feet in length, 122 feet high at crest elevation, and 81 feet thick at its base.

It is one of the few existing dams with a road built across its top, supported by 24 arches rising from the spillway, and the source of much current controversy regarding its condition and need for replacement to accommodate modern traffic needs.

As with all dams, the impoundment lake, Lake Zoar in this case, provides great benefits as well. Lake Zoar covers more than 1,000 acres at crest, and provides much opportunity for recreational boating, fishing and swimming, as well as prime real estate for housing. Though less intrusive than it sister, Lake Candlewood, on communities established before the dam was built, there are still opportunities for divers to explore the earlier landscape and human environment.

John Babina is an engineer, having retired from Sikorsky Aircraft to establish his own systems engineering consultancy. He was a founder of WMNR, a classical music public radio station in Monroe. He is a member of both the Monroe and Huntington Historical Societies, and the Connecticut Society of Genealogists. He has also worked extensively on oral history projects in Monroe, and has been a frequent local speaker on various historical topics.    

The program will be in the community room/lower meeting room of Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

Newtown Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. There will be a brief business meeting prior to the program to elect the society’s officers for the year. Refreshments will be served following the presentation.

For further information, call 203-426-5937.