Lawton Valley Reservoir dam
Lawton Valley Reservoir
Lawton Valley Reservoir in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is a vital water supply reservoir that was completed in 1943. With a capacity of 1,764 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,260 acres, the reservoir plays a significant role in meeting the water needs of the local community. The dam, standing at a height of 39 feet, helps regulate the flow of Lawton Valley Brook and provides a reliable source of water for the region.
However, despite its importance, the reservoir is facing challenges in terms of its condition assessment, which has been rated as poor. With a high hazard potential, the reservoir's emergency action plan is yet to be prepared, raising concerns about its readiness to handle any unforeseen events. The last inspection in 2013 highlighted the need for improvements and the implementation of risk management measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of Lawton Valley Reservoir for both water supply and environmental purposes.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, there is a call to action to support the maintenance and rehabilitation efforts of Lawton Valley Reservoir to safeguard this critical water source. With its historical significance and ecological importance, it is essential to prioritize the reservoir's upkeep and invest in necessary upgrades to prevent any potential risks and ensure a sustainable water supply for the future. By advocating for improved infrastructure and emergency preparedness measures, we can help protect Lawton Valley Reservoir and promote responsible water resource management in the region.
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 Lawton Valley Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hunt River Near East Greenwich | 21 cfs | → |
| Queen R At Liberty Rd At Liberty Ri | 15 cfs | → |
| Paskamanset River Near South Dartmouth | 7 cfs | → |
| Chipuxet River At West Kingston | 9 cfs | → |
| Pawtuxet River At Cranston | 170 cfs | → |
| South Branch Pawtuxet River At Washington | 58 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lawton Valley Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Camp Hoffman
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- 315 - Burlingham
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Mystic Koa Holiday
Fishing spots
Track Lawton Valley 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 Lawton Valley Reservoir
Where does the data for Lawton Valley 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 Lawton Valley Reservoir.