Spring Lake dam
Spring Lake
Spring Lake, also known as Herring Pond, is a picturesque water resource located in Providence, Rhode Island. This private recreational area, completed in 1885, boasts a gravity dam that stands at a height of 8 feet, with a storage capacity of 840 acre-feet and a normal storage of 690 acre-feet. The lake covers an impressive surface area of 82 acres and has a maximum discharge rate of 56 cubic feet per second.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Spring Lake poses a significant hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment. With a significant risk of failure, the dam requires immediate attention to ensure the safety of the surrounding community. The last inspection in June 2016 revealed the need for improvement, emphasizing the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to recognize the importance of preserving and maintaining vital structures like Spring Lake. With its rich history and recreational significance, efforts must be made to address the poor condition assessment and implement necessary risk management measures to safeguard the lake and surrounding areas. By prioritizing safety and regular maintenance, we can ensure the continued enjoyment and sustainability of this valuable water resource for generations to come.
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 Spring Lake -- 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 | → |
| Blackstone River At Woonsocket | 441 cfs | → |
| Peeptoad Brook At Elmdale Rd Nr North Scituate | 2 cfs | → |
| West River Below West Hill Dam | 1 cfs | → |
| Ponaganset River At South Foster | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spring Lake.
Boat launches
- Pascoag Reservoir Fishing Access
- Smith
- Wallum Lake Road 107, Douglas
- Bowdish Reservoir
- Clarkville Pond
- Quaddick Reservoir
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
- Minha Casa
- Brialee
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Spring 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 Spring Lake
Where does the data for Spring 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 Spring Lake.