Blumenthal, Murphy vow federal aid to mitigate leaks in Fitchville Pond Dam

Two days after a leak in the Fitchville Pond Dam flooded streets and closed businesses, and hours before additional rains were expected, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy vowed to seek federal funding to mitigate future flooding of the Yantic River.

Blumenthal and Murphy joined local and state officials to update the public on the remediation of the Fitchville Pond Dam in Bozrah.  The dam on the Yantic River experienced a leak on Wednesday, which led to mandatory evacuations of homes and businesses, power outages and road closures.

“The effects of the flooding of the Yantic River have to be addressed,” Blumenthal said. “It might be a threat to not only property but lives.”

Businesses closed for multiple days following flooding

Dixie Donuts in Norwich was one of the businesses affected by the flooding. Water filled both the restaurant as well as the parking lot, causing the business to close for two days.

“It took hours to clean,” Dixie Donuts Owner Jennifer Baker said. “We had squeegees and mops and fans trying to dry everything out. Then we had to wait for the building and health departments to come in to give us the okay that we could reopen.”

Status of the dam repairs

Repairs to the Fitchville Pond Dam continued Friday and were expected to be completed prior to tonight’s rainstorm. Chuck Lee of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection confirmed that the department will be monitoring the dam this evening.

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This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Sen Murphy and Blumenthal vow aid for Fitchville Pond Dam leak