West Fork Pond Dam dam
West Fork Pond Dam
West Fork Pond Dam, located in Greenwich, Connecticut, was completed in 1940 for the primary purpose of recreation. This private-owned earth dam stands at a height of 4 feet and spans 300 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 52 acre-feet. Situated on the Horseneck Brook tributary, the dam serves as a vital water resource in the area, with a drainage area of 2.4 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 110 cubic feet per second. Despite its recreational significance, the dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition, with a significant hazard potential.
The dam's poor condition has raised concerns among water resource and climate enthusiasts, prompting the need for regular inspections and maintenance. The last inspection was conducted in March 1994, with an inspection frequency of 7 years. With a spillway width of 20 feet and a surface area of 15 acres, the dam poses a risk of failure that could lead to potential inundation in the surrounding area. The lack of an Emergency Action Plan and updated risk assessment further highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and integrity of West Fork Pond Dam to protect the local community and environment.
As efforts to address the dam's condition continue, stakeholders are urged to prioritize risk management measures and emergency preparedness to mitigate potential hazards. With its historical significance and recreational value, West Fork Pond Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in safeguarding infrastructure and communities against the impacts of climate change. Collaboration between regulatory agencies, private owners, and the local community will be essential in ensuring the long-term safety and sustainability of this critical water resource in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
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 West Fork Pond 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 | → |
| Cross River Near Cross River Ny | 8 cfs | → |
| Cross River At Katonah Ny | 12 cfs | → |
| Croton R @ New Croton Dam Nr Croton-On-Hudson Ny | 202 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Fork Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Seagate Road 3, Greenwich
- Maple Way 10, Town Of North Castle
- Lloyd Harbor Road 72, Lloyd Harbor
- Saugatuck River
- Roosevelt Road Westport
- Warburton Avenue 565, Hastings-On-Hudson
Campgrounds
- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
- Croton Point Park
- Mountain Lakes Park
- Blue Mountain Reservation
- Youth Camp Ii
- Battle Row
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 West Fork 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 West Fork Pond Dam
Where does the data for West Fork 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 West Fork Pond Dam.