Sawdy Pond Dam dam
Sawdy Pond Dam
Sawdy Pond Dam, located in Westport, Massachusetts, serves as a vital structure for recreational purposes in the area. Built in 1938, this earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a storage capacity of 5500 acre-feet with a normal storage level of 3400 acre-feet. The dam spans 850 feet in length and is primarily used for recreation, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts to its tranquil surroundings.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Sawdy Pond Dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed as being in fair condition. With a moderate risk rating, measures for risk management and emergency preparedness are essential to safeguard this essential water resource infrastructure.
This picturesque dam, situated along a tributary of S. Watuppa Pond, is not only a popular spot for outdoor activities but also plays a crucial role in water management in the region. Its condition and risk assessment highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and sustainability of Sawdy Pond Dam for generations to come.
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 Sawdy Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paskamanset River Near South Dartmouth | 7 cfs | → |
| Segreganset River Near Dighton | 4 cfs | → |
| Hunt River Near East Greenwich | 21 cfs | → |
| Threemile River At North Dighton | 63 cfs | → |
| Ten Mile River At Pawtucket Ave @ E Providence | 49 cfs | → |
| Pawtuxet River At Cranston | 170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sawdy Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Jefferson Saint Extension, Fall River
- Henry Street 1, Fall River
- Brownell Street 2, Fall River
- Fogland
- Bristol Narrows
- Weaver Cove
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Sawdy 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 Sawdy Pond Dam
Where does the data for Sawdy 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 Sawdy Pond Dam.