Oak Swamp Reservoir dam
Oak Swamp Reservoir
Oak Swamp Reservoir, located in Johnston, Rhode Island, is a picturesque water body with a primary purpose of recreation. The reservoir, completed in 1865, is a masonry dam measuring 20 feet in height and spanning 1310 feet in length. With a maximum storage capacity of 720 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 556 acre-feet, Oak Swamp Reservoir covers an area of 107 acres and is fed by the Dry Brook.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Oak Swamp Reservoir poses a high hazard potential due to its structural condition being rated as "Not Rated." Despite its condition assessment, the reservoir offers a serene escape for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. As a popular recreational spot, it provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and hiking in a tranquil setting.
Although the reservoir's emergency action plan status and risk assessment remain unspecified, its yearly inspection frequency and enforcement of state regulations ensure the safety and well-being of visitors. With its historical significance and natural beauty, Oak Swamp Reservoir stands as a vital water resource in Providence County, serving as a haven for both residents and tourists seeking a peaceful retreat amidst the lush landscape of Rhode Island.
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 Oak Swamp Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 25 cfs | → |
| Peeptoad Brook At Elmdale Rd Nr North Scituate | 2 cfs | → |
| Moshassuck River At Providence | 16 cfs | → |
| Pawtuxet River At Cranston | 173 cfs | → |
| Ponaganset River At South Foster | 7 cfs | → |
| Blackstone R At Roosevelt St At Pawtucket Ri | 459 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oak Swamp Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- George Washington State Campground
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- Camp Hoffman
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Highland Campground
Fishing spots
Track Oak Swamp 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 Oak Swamp Reservoir
Where does the data for Oak Swamp 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 Oak Swamp Reservoir.