Smith + Sayles Reservoir dam
Smith + Sayles Reservoir
Smith + Sayles Reservoir, located in Glocester, Rhode Island, is a picturesque water body primarily used for recreation. Built in 1865, the reservoir boasts a masonry dam standing at 15 feet tall and stretching across 980 feet, with a storage capacity of 1450 acre-feet and a surface area of 175 acres. The dam, situated on the Chepachet River, is regulated by the Rhode Island state agency and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Smith + Sayles Reservoir poses a significant hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment. The reservoir's maintenance and risk management measures are crucial to prevent any potential disasters. With a maximum discharge capacity of 785 cubic feet per second and a normal storage capacity of 875 acre-feet, the reservoir's role in the local ecosystem and community highlights the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the face of changing environmental conditions. Efforts to improve the dam's condition and emergency preparedness are essential to safeguard both the reservoir and the surrounding areas from any potential risks.
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 Smith + Sayles Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Peeptoad Brook At Elmdale Rd Nr North Scituate | 2 cfs | → |
| Nipmuc River Near Harrisville | 17 cfs | → |
| Ponaganset River At South Foster | 7 cfs | → |
| Branch River At Forestdale | 68 cfs | → |
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 25 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Woonsocket | 441 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith + Sayles Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Smith
- Pascoag Reservoir Fishing Access
- Bowdish Reservoir
- Clarkville Pond
- Farnum Pike 334, Smithfield
- North Road 1060, Killingly
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
- Highland Campground
- Brialee
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Smith + Sayles 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 Smith + Sayles Reservoir
Where does the data for Smith + Sayles 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 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 Smith + Sayles Reservoir.