Wilshire Pond Dam dam
Wilshire Pond Dam
Located in Greenwich, Connecticut, Wilshire Pond Dam stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering, having been completed in 1920. This private dam, primarily designed for recreational purposes, holds back the waters of Wilshire Pond Brook, creating a serene 15-acre surface area that is perfect for outdoor activities. With a dam height of 6 feet and a length of 150 feet, this earth-type structure provides a maximum storage capacity of 58 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 32 cubic feet per second.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Wilshire Pond Dam poses a significant hazard potential, with a fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in 1990. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and with a moderate risk assessment rating, it is clear that ongoing maintenance and monitoring are crucial to ensure the safety of downstream residents and infrastructure. While the dam is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the lack of recent updates raises questions about the effectiveness of emergency action plans and risk management measures in place.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wilshire Pond Dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human intervention and natural forces. As discussions around dam safety and environmental stewardship continue to evolve, this dam stands as a tangible example of the intersection between recreational enjoyment and the need for responsible water management practices. With its unique location in Fairfield County and its role in the local ecosystem, Wilshire Pond Dam invites further exploration and consideration of the challenges and opportunities associated with managing water resources in a changing climate.
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 Wilshire Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rippowam River At Stamford | 7 cfs | → |
| Fivemile River Near New Canaan | 0 cfs | → |
| Cross River At Katonah Ny | 12 cfs | → |
| Cross River Near Cross River Ny | 8 cfs | → |
| Croton R @ New Croton Dam Nr Croton-On-Hudson Ny | 202 cfs | → |
| Muscoot River Below Dam At Amawalk Ny | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilshire Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Maple Way 10, Town Of North Castle
- Seagate Road 3, Greenwich
- Croton Riverwalk Croton-On-Hudson
- Saugatuck River
- Cortlandt Street Cortlandt
- Roosevelt Road Westport
Campgrounds
- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
- Croton Point Park
- Mountain Lakes Park
- Blue Mountain Reservation
- Camping For Hikers On Ballfield Graymoor Center
- Youth Camp Ii
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Kent Bridge To Boardman Bridge
- Pond Downstream Of Shepaug Reservoir Dam, Marked By Service Road Bridge To Ends In Backwaters Of Lake Lillinonah, Near Roxbury Falls
- Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River
Track Wilshire 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 Wilshire Pond Dam
Where does the data for Wilshire 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 Wilshire Pond Dam.