Alton Pond dam
Alton Pond
Alton Pond, also known as Wood River Pond, is a picturesque body of water located in Richmond, Rhode Island. This man-made reservoir was completed in 1920 and serves multiple purposes, including recreation and other activities. The dam at Alton Pond is primarily of Earth and Rockfill type, standing at a height of 19 feet and stretching 550 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 424 acre-feet and a surface area of 53 acres, the pond plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the state regulatory agency, Alton Pond is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam has a significant hazard potential, but its condition is currently assessed as satisfactory. With a maximum discharge capacity of 5630 cubic feet per second, the pond is equipped with spillways and other features to manage water levels effectively. Additionally, the emergency action plan for Alton Pond is continuously updated to meet guidelines and ensure preparedness in case of any unforeseen events.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the ecological significance of Alton Pond, which not only provides a habitat for various species but also offers recreational opportunities for the local community. Its location along the Wood River adds to its charm, making it a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities. Understanding the management and maintenance of Alton Pond is essential for ensuring its continued contribution to the environmental and social well-being of the area.
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 Alton Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pawcatuck River At Wood River Junction | 118 cfs | → |
| Wood River At Hope Valley | 76 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River | 105 cfs | → |
| Beaver River Near Usquepaug | 12 cfs | → |
| Pendleton Hill Brook Near Clarks Falls | 4 cfs | → |
| Usquepaug River Near Usquepaug | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Alton Pond.
Boat launches
- Watchaug Pond State Boat Launch
- Chapman Pond Boat Launch
- Quonochontaug Breachway
- Blanchard Lane 98, Stonington
- Worden Pond State Boat Launch
- Wyassup Lake
Campgrounds
- 315 - Burlingham
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- Mystic Koa Holiday
- Camp Hoffman
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Highland Campground
Fishing spots
Track Alton 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 Alton Pond
Where does the data for Alton 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 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 Alton Pond.