Wheeler Pond Dam Dam
Wheeler Pond Dam
Wheeler Pond Dam, located in Montville, Connecticut, stands as a historical landmark since its completion in 1810. This concrete dam on the OXOBOXO BROOK serves a primary purpose beyond water resource management, making it a unique structure in the region. With a height of 20 feet and a storage capacity of 1276 acre-feet, Wheeler Pond Dam plays a significant role in regulating water flow and storage in the area.
Managed by a private owner, Wheeler Pond Dam is state-regulated and regularly inspected to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a spillway width of 54 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 934 cubic feet per second, the dam is equipped to handle significant water flow events. Despite its age, Wheeler Pond Dam has not been given a formal condition assessment, suggesting the need for further evaluation and potential maintenance in the future.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wheeler Pond Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of historical infrastructure and modern water management practices. Its location in the New London County, alongside the OXOBOXO BROOK, presents an opportunity to explore the impact of dams on local ecosystems and waterways. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and efficiency of Wheeler Pond Dam, its role in the region's water resource management remains crucial for both environmental and human needs.
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 Wheeler Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yantic River At Yantic | 14 cfs | → |
| Shetucket River At Taftville | 145 cfs | → |
| Eightmile R At North Plain | 3 cfs | → |
| East Branch Eightmile River Near North Lyme | 4 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug River At Jewett City | 213 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Hanover | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wheeler 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 Wheeler Pond Dam
Where does the data for Wheeler 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 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.