Tarkiln Pond dam
Tarkiln Pond
Tarkiln Pond is a picturesque body of water located in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. The dam that creates the pond was completed in 1886 and serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. The gravity dam stands at a height of 10 feet, with a hydraulic height of 9 feet, and a length of 140 feet, providing a surface area of 18 acres for visitors to explore.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Tarkiln Pond is in poor condition according to a 2017 assessment. The dam has a low hazard potential, but its poor condition raises concerns about its long-term stability and effectiveness in managing water resources in the area. While the pond is not currently regulated by the state, it is subject to inspections to ensure the safety of nearby communities and the preservation of the environmental integrity of the surrounding area.
With its tranquil waters and lush surroundings, Tarkiln Pond offers a peaceful escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. However, the dam's deteriorating condition highlights the importance of ongoing maintenance and preservation efforts to ensure the safety and sustainability of this cherished recreational resource for years 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 Tarkiln Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Branch River At Forestdale | 68 cfs | → |
| Nipmuc River Near Harrisville | 17 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Woonsocket | 441 cfs | → |
| Peeptoad Brook At Elmdale Rd Nr North Scituate | 2 cfs | → |
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 25 cfs | → |
| West River Below West Hill Dam | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tarkiln Pond.
Boat launches
- Farnum Pike 334, Smithfield
- Smith
- Pascoag Reservoir Fishing Access
- Bowdish Reservoir
- Wallum Lake Road 107, Douglas
- Lincoln Woods
Campgrounds
- George Washington State Campground
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Minha Casa
- Camp Christina Entrance
Fishing spots
Track Tarkiln 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 Tarkiln Pond
Where does the data for Tarkiln 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 Low 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 Tarkiln Pond.