Shepards Pond Dam Dam
Shepards Pond Dam
Shepards Pond Dam, located in Woodstock, Connecticut, was completed in 1890 and serves as a crucial water supply source in the area. This earth dam stands at a height of 38 feet and has a storage capacity of 140 acre-feet, providing water for both domestic and agricultural purposes. The dam is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Despite its importance, Shepards Pond Dam has been rated as having a poor condition, with a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in November 2019 highlighted the need for improvements and maintenance to address safety concerns. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status is currently unknown, raising questions about its preparedness for potential emergencies. With a drainage area of 35.6 square miles and a maximum discharge of 1486 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Given its age and current condition, Shepards Pond Dam requires attention and investment to ensure its long-term functionality and safety. Climate change and increasing water demands further underscore the importance of maintaining and upgrading critical infrastructure like this dam to safeguard water resources for future generations. Collaborative efforts between local government, state agencies, and stakeholders will be essential in addressing the challenges and risks associated with Shepards Pond Dam.
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 Shepards Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River At Harrisville | 8 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug River At Putnam | 113 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug R At West Thompson | 142 cfs | → |
| French R At N Grosvenordale | 25 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug River At Quinebaug | 45 cfs | → |
| French River At Webster | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shepards 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 Shepards Pond Dam
Where does the data for Shepards 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.