Pinneys Pond Dam Dam
Pinneys Pond Dam
Pinneys Pond Dam, located in Union, Connecticut, was completed in 1880 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. This earth-type dam stands at a height of 10 feet and has a length of 200 feet, with a storage capacity of 63 acre-feet. It is situated on the Stoughton Brook and has a low hazard potential, making it a relatively safe structure. While the dam is owned privately, it is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
The dam's location in Tolland County showcases its importance in managing water resources in the area, with a drainage area of 1.35 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 74 cubic feet per second. Despite being last inspected in 2012 and not currently rated for condition assessment, the dam's overall risk management and emergency preparedness measures are not clearly documented. With Joe Courtney as the congressional representative for the district, efforts may be needed to update and enhance the dam's emergency action plan and risk assessment to meet current guidelines and ensure public safety in case of any unforeseen incidents.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Pinneys Pond Dam represents a historical and recreational landmark within the region. Its presence on the Stoughton Brook contributes to the overall water ecosystem, and its management and maintenance are crucial in ensuring sustainable water resource usage and climate resiliency. As efforts continue to monitor and improve the dam's safety and emergency response capabilities, it remains a key infrastructure asset that demands attention and proactive measures to mitigate potential risks and enhance its overall functionality for the benefit of the community and the environment.
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 Pinneys Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Hope River Near Warrenville | 4 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug R Bl E Brimfield Dam At Fiskdale | 23 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug R Bl Westville Dam Nr Southbridge | 37 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug River At Quinebaug | 45 cfs | → |
| Willimantic River Near Coventry | 32 cfs | → |
| Quaboag River At West Brimfield | 53 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pinneys 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 Pinneys Pond Dam
Where does the data for Pinneys 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 Low 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.