Forestdale Pond dam
Forestdale Pond
Forestdale Pond in Rhode Island is a stunning water resource nestled in Providence County, attracting climate enthusiasts and water resource aficionados alike. This picturesque pond, also known as RI02504, was completed in 1883 and boasts a gravity, masonry, and rockfill dam type with a structural height of 19 feet. With a storage capacity of 280 acre-feet and a surface area of 17 acres, Forestdale Pond serves as a vital water source for the surrounding area. Despite its historical significance, the pond is classified as having a high hazard potential and a poor condition assessment.
Located in North Smithfield, Forestdale Pond holds a critical role in regulating the Branch River's flow, with a drainage area of 96 square miles. The dam's spillway width of 92 feet and the maximum discharge capacity of 5000 cubic feet per second highlight the pond's importance in managing water levels and preventing potential flooding. However, with a condition assessment indicating poor maintenance and a high hazard potential, there is a pressing need for comprehensive risk management measures and regular inspections to ensure the pond's structural integrity and safety for the local community.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Forestdale Pond stands as a significant landmark in Rhode Island's water management infrastructure. Its rich history, combined with its critical role in flood control and water storage, underscores the importance of proactive maintenance and risk mitigation strategies to safeguard this natural resource for future generations. The pond's high hazard potential and poor condition assessment serve as a reminder of the urgent need for investment in its upkeep and the implementation of effective emergency action plans to protect both the environment and the local community.
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 Forestdale Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Branch River At Forestdale | 68 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Woonsocket | 441 cfs | → |
| Nipmuc River Near Harrisville | 17 cfs | → |
| West River Below West Hill Dam | 1 cfs | → |
| Peeptoad Brook At Elmdale Rd Nr North Scituate | 2 cfs | → |
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forestdale Pond.
Boat launches
- Farnum Pike 334, Smithfield
- Smith
- Pascoag Reservoir Fishing Access
- Lincoln Woods
- Olney Pond
- Wallum Lake Road 107, Douglas
Campgrounds
- George Washington State Campground
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Minha Casa
- Camp Christina Entrance
Fishing spots
Track Forestdale 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 Forestdale Pond
Where does the data for Forestdale 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 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 Forestdale Pond.