Spaulding Pond Dam dam
Spaulding Pond Dam
Located in North Stonington, Connecticut, the Spaulding Pond Dam is a private-owned structure built in 1900 primarily for recreation purposes. The dam, standing at a height of 7 feet and a length of 90 feet, holds a storage capacity of 136 acre-feet of water and covers a surface area of 34 acres. It is situated along the Wassup Brook, within the New London County, and is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
The dam has a significant hazard potential and is considered to be in fair condition as of the last assessment in November 2020. It has a spillway width of 18 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 138 cubic feet per second. Although there have been no reported modifications in recent years, the dam undergoes inspections every 7 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The presence of the Spaulding Pond Dam provides both recreational opportunities for the community and a source of water storage for the surrounding area.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in the region can appreciate the historical significance and functional importance of the Spaulding Pond Dam. As a key structure along the Wassup Brook, the dam contributes to the local ecosystem and serves as a vital component in managing water resources in the area. Its maintenance and regulation by the state authorities ensure the safety of the community and the preservation of the dam for future generations to enjoy.
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 Spaulding Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pendleton Hill Brook Near Clarks Falls | 4 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River At Westerly | 302 cfs | → |
| Wood River At Hope Valley | 82 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River At Wood River Junction | 124 cfs | → |
| Wood River Near Arcadia | 38 cfs | → |
| Beaver River Near Usquepaug | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spaulding Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Wyassup Lake
- Chapman Pond Boat Launch
- Blanchard Lane 98, Stonington
- Long Pond
- Glasgo Pond State Boat Launch
- Barn Island
Campgrounds
- Mystic Koa Holiday
- 315 - Burlingham
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- Camp Hoffman
- Highland Campground
- Laurel Lock Camp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Spaulding 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 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 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 Spaulding Pond Dam.