Wakefield Pond dam
Wakefield Pond
Wakefield Pond, also known as Masland Pond, is a local government-owned water resource located in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. The dam, which is primarily used for purposes other than flood control or water supply, is classified as an Earth type and stands at a height of 8.5 feet with a hydraulic height of 5 feet. The pond has a storage capacity of 35 acre-feet and a surface area of 6 acres, with a drainage area of 16 square miles.
The condition assessment of Wakefield Pond has been rated as poor, with a high hazard potential due to its structural deficiencies. The last inspection date was in June 2010, and the dam is scheduled for inspections every two years. Despite its current condition, the pond serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, with a maximum discharge capacity of 2060 cubic feet per second. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Wakefield Pond to be a significant location for studying the impact of infrastructure maintenance on water management in the face of changing climatic conditions.
With its location on the Saugatucket River and close proximity to Washington County, Wakefield Pond offers a unique opportunity for researchers and enthusiasts to explore the intersection of water resource management and climate adaptation. As a state-regulated dam with permitting, inspection, and enforcement mechanisms in place, the pond provides a case study for understanding how policy and regulations can play a crucial role in safeguarding water resources in the face of potential risks and hazards. Despite its current challenges, Wakefield Pond remains an important site for studying the resilience of water infrastructure in the context of climate change.
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 Wakefield Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chipuxet River At West Kingston | 8 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River | 105 cfs | → |
| Usquepaug River Near Usquepaug | 40 cfs | → |
| Beaver River Near Usquepaug | 12 cfs | → |
| Queen R At Liberty Rd At Liberty Ri | 15 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River At Wood River Junction | 118 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wakefield Pond.
Boat launches
- Sandy Bottom Shores Drive Peacedale
- Tucker Pond
- Monahan's Dock
- Indian Lake State Boat Launch
- Worden Pond State Boat Launch
- Great Island Road Galilee
Campgrounds
- Camp Hoffman
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- 315 - Burlingham
- Mystic Koa Holiday
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Wakefield Pond 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 Wakefield Pond
Where does the data for Wakefield Pond 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 Wakefield Pond.