Wards Mill Pond Dam dam
Wards Mill Pond Dam
Wards Mill Pond Dam, located in Branford, Connecticut, was completed in 1900 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. This masonry dam stands at a height of 9 feet and has a length of 147 feet, creating a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Branford River, within the New Haven County, and is under the regulatory authority of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Despite its age, Wards Mill Pond Dam is considered to have a significant hazard potential, although its condition has not been officially rated. The dam has not undergone recent inspections, with the last inspection date unknown, and there is no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place as of the most recent data update in March 2021. With its location in a populated area and the potential risks associated with its condition, the dam may require further assessment and risk management measures to ensure public safety and the integrity of the structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wards Mill Pond Dam presents an intriguing case study of a historic masonry dam in need of modern evaluation and potentially, upgrades to meet current safety standards. The dam's association with the Branford River and its role in providing recreational opportunities add to its significance, making it a focal point for discussions on water infrastructure management and the intersection of public safety with environmental conservation. As efforts continue to address the challenges posed by aging dams nationwide, Wards Mill Pond Dam stands as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and proactive measures in safeguarding our water resources and communities.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Wards Mill Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mill R Nr Hamden | 21 cfs | → |
| Quinnipiac River At Wallingford | 106 cfs | → |
| Indian River Near Clinton | 6 cfs | → |
| Coginchaug River At Middlefield | 20 cfs | → |
| Naugatuck River At Beacon Falls | 264 cfs | → |
| Housatonic River At Stevenson | 466 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wards Mill Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Hosley Avenue Branford
- Branford River State Boat Launch
- Quinnipiac River Front St Boat Ramp
- Park Drive New Haven
- Sackett Point Road North Haven
- April Street 3, West Haven
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Lower Collinsville Dam To The Route 187 Bridge
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
- The Confluence With The Nepaug River To A Point 0.2 Miles Below The Lower Collinsville Dam Tailrace
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- Begins Below The Tailrace Of The Rainbow Dam To The Confluence With The Connecticut River
Track Wards Mill Pond Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Wards Mill Pond Dam
Where does the data for Wards Mill Pond Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Wards Mill Pond Dam.