Spaulding Pond Dam Dam
Spaulding Pond Dam
Located in Norwich, Connecticut, Spaulding Pond Dam is a vital structure designed by the USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks along the Spaulding Pond Brook. Completed in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and stretches 435 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 290 acre-feet. The dam serves as a critical flood risk reduction measure for the local government, with a normal storage capacity of 138 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 1142 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Spaulding Pond Dam is state-regulated and subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 13 feet and an outlet gate in the form of a slide (sluice gate). With a hazard potential rated as high and a satisfactory condition assessment as of August 2019, the dam presents a moderate risk level (3) according to the latest risk assessment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Spaulding Pond Dam stands as a testament to effective flood risk reduction efforts in Connecticut. Its strategic location, design, and maintenance highlight the importance of sustainable infrastructure for managing water resources and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events. As an essential component of the local watershed system, Spaulding Pond Dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding community from potential flooding and ensuring the long-term resilience of the region's water infrastructure.
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 Spaulding Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shetucket River At Taftville | 145 cfs | → |
| Yantic River At Yantic | 14 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug River At Jewett City | 213 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Hanover | 8 cfs | → |
| Shetucket River Near Willimantic | 109 cfs | → |
| Pendleton Hill Brook Near Clarks Falls | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spaulding Pond Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Spaulding Pond Dam
Where does the data for Spaulding 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 High 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 below 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.
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.