Wards Pond Dam dam
Wards Pond Dam
Wards Pond Dam, located in Tolland, Massachusetts, is a private-owned structure that serves as a recreational resource for water and climate enthusiasts. Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a hydraulic height of 16 feet. With a storage capacity of 119 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 71 acre-feet, Wards Pond Dam covers a surface area of 22.7 acres and drains an area of 1.6 square miles.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, Wards Pond Dam is currently in fair condition as of its last assessment in November 2015. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and has a moderate risk assessment level. While its condition is deemed adequate for now, regular inspections are conducted every 5 years to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. With its picturesque location and recreational purpose, Wards Pond Dam presents an opportunity for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate the intersection of human engineering and natural landscapes.
As a key component of the tributary system of the West Branch Farmington River, Wards Pond Dam not only provides recreational opportunities but also plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region. Its presence highlights the importance of proper dam maintenance and monitoring to prevent potential risks and ensure the safety of both the structure and the surrounding environment. For those interested in water resource management and climate resilience, Wards Pond Dam serves as a fascinating case study in balancing human needs with environmental considerations.
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 Wards Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch Farmington River Near New Boston | 68 cfs | → |
| Hubbard River Nr. West Hartland | 14 cfs | → |
| Still River At Robertsville | 83 cfs | → |
| West Branch Farmington River At Riverton | 140 cfs | → |
| West Branch Westfield River At Huntington | 93 cfs | → |
| Middle B Westfield River At Goss Heights | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wards Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Main Road, Tolland
- Howells Pond
- Highway 8 2301-2357, Becket
- Wood Creek Pond Boat Launch
- Highland Lake
- Winchester Lake
Campgrounds
- Tolland State Forest
- Granville State Forest
- Chester - Blanford State Forest
- White Pines Campsites
- Green Point
- Rocky Point
Fishing spots
- Great Brook Reservoir
- Lower Fulton Park Pond
- Lake Quassapaug
- Papermill Pond
- Seymour Reservoir Number 4
- Reservoir Number 2
Paddle runs
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut State Line In Hartland To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Hartland Headwaters To The Confluence With The Salmon Brook Main Stem
- The Massachusetts-Connecticut Border To Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut
- The Confluence Of The East And West Branches To The Confluence With The Farmington River In East Granby
- Falls Mountain Road In Canaan, Connecticut To Kent Bridge
- New Hartford/Canton Town Line To The Confluence With The Nepaug River
Track Wards 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 Wards Pond Dam
Where does the data for Wards 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 Wards Pond Dam.