Bowdish Reservoir dam
Bowdish Reservoir
Bowdish Reservoir, located in Glocester, Rhode Island, is a stunning gravity dam structure built in 1850 with a primary purpose of recreation. With a maximum storage capacity of 1026 acre-feet, this reservoir offers a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking outdoor activities. The dam stands at a height of 12.3 feet, with a hydraulic height of 10 feet and a structural height of 14 feet, creating a surface area of 126 acres and a drainage area of 3 square miles.
Managed by the state regulatory agency DS, Bowdish Reservoir is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and other recreational pursuits. While the dam's hazard potential is rated as high, its condition remains unrated as of the last assessment in October 2017. With a history dating back over a century, this picturesque reservoir serves as a vital source of water and a haven for wildlife in Providence County, Rhode Island.
Despite its age, Bowdish Reservoir continues to be regularly inspected and maintained, with an inspection frequency of every two years. The dam's spillway width of 18 feet and maximum discharge capacity of 327 cubic feet per second ensure the safety and stability of this essential water resource. Whether you're a nature lover, a fishing enthusiast, or simply looking to unwind in a peaceful setting, Bowdish Reservoir offers a beautiful retreat surrounded by the natural beauty of Mary Brown Brook.
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 Bowdish Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nipmuc River Near Harrisville | 27 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug R At West Thompson | 420 cfs | → |
| Quinebaug River At Putnam | 659 cfs | → |
| French R At N Grosvenordale | 167 cfs | → |
| Little River At Harrisville | 70 cfs | → |
| Ponaganset River At South Foster | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bowdish Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Clarkville Pond
- Bowdish Reservoir
- Quaddick Reservoir
- Pascoag Reservoir Fishing Access
- North Road 1060, Killingly
- Smith
Campgrounds
- George Washington State Campground
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Brialee
- Highland Campground
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
Fishing spots
Track Bowdish 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 Bowdish Reservoir
Where does the data for Bowdish 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 Bowdish Reservoir.