Wilson Reservoir dam
Wilson Reservoir
Wilson Reservoir, located in Burrillville, Rhode Island, is a picturesque body of water nestled along Clear River. The dam, completed in 1866, stands at a height of 21 feet and serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a storage capacity of 840 acre-feet and a surface area of 114 acres, the reservoir offers ample opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities.
Despite its age, Wilson Reservoir is closely regulated and inspected by the state, with regular maintenance ensuring its structural integrity and safety. The dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of October 2017. The spillway, with a width of 25 feet, is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 395 cubic feet per second, mitigating flood risks and safeguarding the surrounding area.
Located in a scenic spot within Providence County, Wilson Reservoir is not only a valuable resource for recreation but also plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts. Its historical significance and ongoing maintenance make it a vital component of the local ecosystem, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike to marvel at its engineering and natural beauty.
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 Wilson Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nipmuc River Near Harrisville | 17 cfs | → |
| Branch River At Forestdale | 68 cfs | → |
| French R At N Grosvenordale | 116 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug R At West Thompson | 225 cfs | → |
| Peeptoad Brook At Elmdale Rd Nr North Scituate | 2 cfs | → |
| French River At Webster | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilson Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Pascoag Reservoir Fishing Access
- Bowdish Reservoir
- Clarkville Pond
- Wallum Lake Road 107, Douglas
- Quaddick Reservoir
- Smith
Campgrounds
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- George Washington State Campground
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Brialee
- Highland Campground
Fishing spots
Track Wilson Reservoir 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 Wilson Reservoir
Where does the data for Wilson Reservoir 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 Wilson Reservoir.