Wertz + Viall Pond dam
Wertz + Viall Pond
Wertz + Viall Pond, located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, is a rockfill dam constructed in 1957 by the USDA NRCS for recreational purposes. The dam stands at 5.5 feet high with a hydraulic height of 7 feet and a structural height of 8 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 66 acre-feet. The pond covers a surface area of 33 acres and is fed by the Wannachecomecut Brook, providing a serene and picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam at Wertz + Viall Pond is classified as being in poor condition as of the last assessment in May 2018. With a very high risk assessment rating of 1, there is a need for improved risk management measures to ensure the safety and stability of the structure. While the dam does not fall under USACE jurisdiction, it is still subject to state inspection and enforcement, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks.
As an important recreational resource in the area, Wertz + Viall Pond serves as a valuable ecosystem and water source for the surrounding community. With its controlled spillway, vertical lift outlet gates, and close proximity to the Wannachecomecut Brook, the pond offers a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities while also raising awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting our water resources in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Wertz + Viall Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Queen R At Liberty Rd At Liberty Ri | 15 cfs | → |
| Chipuxet River At West Kingston | 9 cfs | → |
| Hunt River Near East Greenwich | 25 cfs | → |
| Usquepaug River Near Usquepaug | 42 cfs | → |
| Beaver River Near Usquepaug | 13 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River | 103 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wertz + Viall Pond.
Boat launches
- Fort Getty
- Indian Lake State Boat Launch
- Jamestown
- Fort Wetherill Road Jamestown
- Barber Pond
- Sandy Bottom Shores Drive Peacedale
Campgrounds
- Camp Hoffman
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- 315 - Burlingham
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Mystic Koa Holiday
- George Washington State Campground
Fishing spots
Track Wertz + Viall 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 Wertz + Viall Pond
Where does the data for Wertz + Viall 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 Wertz + Viall Pond.