Curran Lower Reservoir dam
Curran Lower Reservoir
Curran Lower Reservoir, also known as Spring Lake, is a picturesque water resource located in Cranston, Rhode Island. Managed by the state, this dam is primarily used for fish and wildlife conservation, as well as for recreational activities. Completed in 1950, the reservoir has a gravity dam type with a height of 17 feet and a length of 1300 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 250 acre-feet and a normal storage of 200 acre-feet.
With a surface area of 20 acres and a drainage area of 1 square mile, Curran Lower Reservoir plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the Clarke Brook ecosystem. Despite being rated as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition is assessed as fair, with inspections conducted every two years to ensure its structural integrity. The reservoir also boasts a spillway width of 50 feet and a maximum discharge of 650 cubic feet per second, highlighting its importance in flood control and water management for the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Curran Lower Reservoir presents a fascinating opportunity to explore the intersection of human intervention and natural ecosystems. By balancing the needs of fish and wildlife conservation with recreational activities, this dam serves as a vital link in the chain of water resource management in Providence, Rhode Island. With its rich history and unique design, the reservoir stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable practices in preserving our water resources for future generations.
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 Curran Lower Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Pawtuxet River At Washington | 87 cfs | → |
| Pawtuxet River At Cranston | 176 cfs | → |
| Peeptoad Brook At Elmdale Rd Nr North Scituate | 2 cfs | → |
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 26 cfs | → |
| Hunt River Near East Greenwich | 25 cfs | → |
| Nooseneck River At Nooseneck | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Curran Lower Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Jl Curran
- Goddard Park
- Stillhouse Cove
- Robert Avenue 1, Warwick
- Oakland Beach
- Sabin Point Waterfront Park
Campgrounds
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- George Washington State Campground
- Camp Hoffman
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- 315 - Burlingham
Fishing spots
Track Curran Lower 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 Curran Lower Reservoir
Where does the data for Curran Lower 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 Curran Lower Reservoir.