Kohanza Reservoir, stuwmeer in de Verenigde Staten
Kohanza Reservoir is a water body in Connecticut built in 1866 to supply water to Danbury's hat factories. The area now consists of two separate lakes, Upper Kohanza Lake and Lower Kohanza Lake, located in a valley accessible by local roads.
The original reservoir was built in 1866 as part of the area's industrial infrastructure. On January 31, 1869, a catastrophic dam failure released ice and water that surged into Danbury, killing eleven people and destroying multiple structures.
The reservoir was tied to Danbury's hat manufacturing industry, which required large amounts of water for production. Today the lakes serve as a reminder of that industrial past and how the town developed around its water sources.
The location is easily reached by local roads and offers open spaces for walking and relaxation. The lakes provide good access for pedestrians and are open year-round, though warmer months offer the most comfortable visiting conditions.
The dam failure of 1869 was one of the region's worst disasters and occurred in less than half an hour. The event led to new safety standards for dam construction throughout the area and demonstrated the raw power of water.
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