Great Swamp Goose Marsh dam
Great Swamp Goose Marsh
Great Swamp Goose Marsh is a state-owned rockfill dam located in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, along the Pawcatuck River. Built in 1960 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing essential habitat for local wildlife and recreational opportunities for visitors. With a dam height of 8 feet and a storage capacity of 770 acre-feet, the structure covers a surface area of 190 acres and has a controlled spillway width of 30 feet.
Despite its important role in supporting biodiversity and outdoor activities, Great Swamp Goose Marsh is currently assessed as being in poor condition, with a very high risk level assigned due to its outdated infrastructure. The dam's hazard potential is classified as low, but there are concerns about its structural integrity and the potential consequences of a failure. With no recent inspections and no emergency action plan in place, there is a pressing need for improved risk management measures and regular maintenance to ensure the safety and longevity of this vital water resource.
Given its significance as a Fish and Wildlife Pond and recreational area, the restoration and maintenance of Great Swamp Goose Marsh should be a priority for state agencies and conservationists. By addressing the dam's poor condition, implementing risk management measures, and developing an emergency action plan, stakeholders can safeguard this valuable ecosystem and enhance its resilience to climate change impacts. With proactive efforts and collaboration, Great Swamp Goose Marsh can continue to thrive as a thriving wetland habitat and beloved natural resource for generations to come.
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 Great Swamp Goose Marsh -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pawcatuck River | 103 cfs | → |
| Usquepaug River Near Usquepaug | 42 cfs | → |
| Chipuxet River At West Kingston | 9 cfs | → |
| Beaver River Near Usquepaug | 13 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River At Wood River Junction | 124 cfs | → |
| Queen R At Liberty Rd At Liberty Ri | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Great Swamp Goose Marsh.
Boat launches
- Worden Pond State Boat Launch
- Tucker Pond
- Barber Pond
- Sandy Bottom Shores Drive Peacedale
- Great Island Road Galilee
- Watchaug Pond State Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Camp Hoffman
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- 315 - Burlingham
- Mystic Koa Holiday
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Highland Campground
Fishing spots
Track Great Swamp Goose Marsh 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 Great Swamp Goose Marsh
Where does the data for Great Swamp Goose Marsh 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 Great Swamp Goose Marsh.