Pemberwick Dam dam
Pemberwick Dam
Located in Greenwich, Connecticut, Pemberwick Dam, also known as Pemberwick Pond, stands as a testament to the area's rich history and commitment to water resource management. Built in 1867, this private concrete dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene retreat for locals and visitors alike. With a height of 44 feet and a length of 115 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and a surface area of 5.5 acres, making it a significant feature in the Byram River watershed.
Managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Pemberwick Dam is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Although assessed to be in fair condition with a high hazard potential, the dam continues to provide essential water storage and flood control benefits to the surrounding community. Its location in Fairfield County, along with its close proximity to the city of Pemberwick, makes it a valuable recreational asset and a vital component of the region's hydraulic infrastructure.
As climate change increasingly impacts water resources and infrastructure, the significance of structures like Pemberwick Dam cannot be overstated. With a maximum discharge capacity of 1,100 cubic feet per second and a history dating back over a century, this historic dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges. As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to advocate for resilient infrastructure and conservation efforts, Pemberwick Dam stands as a tangible example of the intersection between human ingenuity and natural systems in the quest for a more sustainable future.
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 Pemberwick 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 | → |
| Norwalk R At South Wilton | 10 cfs | → |
| Cold Spring Brook At Cold Spring Harbor Ny | 2 cfs | → |
| Cross River Near Cross River Ny | 8 cfs | → |
| Hackensack River At West Nyack Ny | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pemberwick Dam.
Boat launches
- Seagate Road 3, Greenwich
- Maple Way 10, Town Of North Castle
- Warburton Avenue 565, Hastings-On-Hudson
- Lloyd Harbor Road 72, Lloyd Harbor
- Saugatuck River
- Croton Riverwalk Croton-On-Hudson
Campgrounds
- Croton Point Park
- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
- Mountain Lakes Park
- Blue Mountain Reservation
- Battle Row
- Park Shore Day Camp
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 Pemberwick 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 Pemberwick Dam
Where does the data for Pemberwick 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 High 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 Pemberwick Dam.