Wallum Lake dam
Wallum Lake
Wallum Lake, located in Burrillville, Rhode Island, is a picturesque water resource with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam at Wallum Lake, completed in 1866, stands at a height of 10 feet and has a hydraulic height of 8 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 9,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 322 acres, Wallum Lake provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Wallum Lake faces challenges in terms of its dam condition. A recent assessment rated the dam's condition as poor, with a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in October 2013 highlighted the need for regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and longevity of this important water resource. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates may find Wallum Lake an intriguing case study for understanding the intersection of infrastructure management, environmental conservation, and recreational opportunities.
As climate change continues to impact water resources around the world, the management and conservation of dams like Wallum Lake become increasingly crucial. With a drainage area of 2 square miles and a maximum discharge of 80 cubic feet per second, Wallum Lake plays a vital role in regulating water flow and providing flood control in the Clear River watershed. By staying informed about the dam's condition, participating in maintenance efforts, and advocating for sustainable water management practices, enthusiasts can contribute to the preservation and resilience of Wallum Lake for future generations to enjoy.
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 Wallum Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nipmuc River Near Harrisville | 17 cfs | → |
| French River At Webster | 7 cfs | → |
| French R At N Grosvenordale | 116 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug R At West Thompson | 225 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug River At Putnam | 432 cfs | → |
| Little River At Harrisville | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wallum Lake.
Boat launches
- Wallum Lake Road 107, Douglas
- Quaddick Reservoir
- Bowdish Reservoir
- Clarkville Pond
- Pascoag Reservoir Fishing Access
- Torrey Road 22, Sutton
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
- Minha Casa
Fishing spots
Track Wallum Lake 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 Wallum Lake
Where does the data for Wallum Lake 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 Wallum Lake.