Hopkins Mill Pond dam
Hopkins Mill Pond
Hopkins Mill Pond, located in Foster, Rhode Island, is a rockfill dam completed in 1865 along the Ponaganset River. With a height of 9 feet and a storage capacity of 109 acre-feet, this dam serves as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is currently in poor condition, as assessed in October 2017.
The primary purpose of Hopkins Mill Pond is categorized as "Other," with a normal storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years and lacks certain safety features such as spillways or outlet gates, its structural integrity remains intact. The responsibility for inspection and enforcement falls under the state jurisdiction, with periodic inspections carried out to ensure public safety.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Hopkins Mill Pond presents an intriguing case study in dam management and maintenance. As concerns over climate change and water scarcity grow, the importance of monitoring and assessing the condition of existing water infrastructure like Hopkins Mill Pond becomes increasingly crucial. With a rich history dating back to the 19th century, this dam serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between human-made structures and the natural environment.
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 Hopkins Mill Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ponaganset River At South Foster | 7 cfs | → |
| Peeptoad Brook At Elmdale Rd Nr North Scituate | 2 cfs | → |
| Nipmuc River Near Harrisville | 14 cfs | → |
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 26 cfs | → |
| South Branch Pawtuxet River At Washington | 87 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug River At Putnam | 491 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hopkins Mill Pond.
Boat launches
- Smith
- North Road 1060, Killingly
- Pascoag Reservoir Fishing Access
- Bowdish Reservoir
- Clarkville Pond
- Squaw Rock Road Killingly
Campgrounds
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- George Washington State Campground
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- Highland Campground
- Brialee
- Camp Hoffman
Fishing spots
Track Hopkins Mill 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 Hopkins Mill Pond
Where does the data for Hopkins Mill 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 Hopkins Mill Pond.