Beginning June 1, 2025, Highland Pond Preserve in Middletown will be closed to the public until further notice as construction begins to remove the aging dam and restore Sawmill Brook’s natural stream system. This closure is necessary to ensure public safety during the construction process and to allow for safe and efficient restoration work on the site.
Why Remove the Dam?
Highland Pond is a peaceful, cherished space. For many, it’s the only version of this landscape they’ve ever known. However, the dam—over a century old—is rated by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection as a Significant Hazard (Class B) structure. That designation means that failure could result in serious downstream impacts, including risk to human life, and damage to infrastructure and property.
Owning and maintaining a dam of this size and classification brings with it not only a deep responsibility but also substantial financial and legal obligations. These include state-mandated safety inspections, emergency action plans, and ongoing maintenance—all of which carry significant costs.
But beyond those considerations, dams also have a powerful and often detrimental impact on stream ecosystems. They block fish passage, warm water temperatures, disrupt sediment flow, and often support invasive species at the expense of native biodiversity. At Highland Pond, the impoundment has become choked with aquatic vegetation in summer, and Sawmill Brook fish migration is entirely blocked by the dam.
A Path Toward Restoration
The engineering plan proposes the careful removal of the existing dam and replacement with a series of stone weirs—structures that maintain some water levels while allowing fish and other aquatic organisms to move freely upstream. This design will also help preserve some of the pond-like character of the site, while restoring a more natural stream system and floodplain habitats. The image below depicts an artist’s rendition of what the site may look like post dam removal.
Restoration efforts like these have a proven track record in Connecticut. At similar sites, dam removals were initially met with concern from people who valued the pond views and recreational opportunities. But within just a year or two, those landscapes were transformed into vibrant, diverse ecosystems with free-flowing water, lush native plants, and more wildlife. These sites are now healthier, more resilient, more natural, and safer for all.
What’s Next?
When construction ends, Highland Pond Preserve will reopen to the public. While it may look different, be assured that we’re on our way to our goal for a safer, healthier, and more dynamic landscape—one that continues to offer beauty, ecological value, and opportunities for connection with nature. We look forward to welcoming you back to witness the transformation as the Sawmill Brook flows freely once again.
Thank you for your continued support of the Middlesex Land Trust.
