Carolina Pond dam
Carolina Pond
Carolina Pond, located in Charlestown, Rhode Island, is a privately-owned water resource nestled along the Pawcatuck River. Built in 1840, this Earth type dam stands at a height of 10 feet and spans 380 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 108 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 85 acre-feet and a surface area of 12 acres, Carolina Pond serves a variety of purposes beyond its primary function, making it a valuable asset for both the local community and the environment.
Despite its historical significance and low hazard potential, Carolina Pond currently holds a poor condition assessment as of May 2018. With no recent inspection data available, the dam’s structural integrity and operational safety remain a concern for water resource and climate enthusiasts. It is worth noting that there are no regulatory agencies overseeing the state-regulated dam, raising questions about the need for increased monitoring and maintenance to ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital water resource.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to advocate for sustainable solutions and efficient management of our natural resources, the case of Carolina Pond serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections and maintenance for dams and reservoirs. With its rich history and potential for environmental impact, addressing the current poor condition assessment and implementing risk management measures could help preserve Carolina Pond’s integrity for future 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 Carolina Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pawcatuck River At Wood River Junction | 124 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River | 103 cfs | → |
| Beaver River Near Usquepaug | 13 cfs | → |
| Usquepaug River Near Usquepaug | 42 cfs | → |
| Wood River At Hope Valley | 82 cfs | → |
| Chipuxet River At West Kingston | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carolina Pond.
Boat launches
- Worden Pond State Boat Launch
- Watchaug Pond State Boat Launch
- Barber Pond
- Tucker Pond
- Sandy Bottom Shores Drive Peacedale
- Chapman Pond Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- Camp Hoffman
- 315 - Burlingham
- Mystic Koa Holiday
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Highland Campground
Fishing spots
Track Carolina 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 Carolina Pond
Where does the data for Carolina 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 Carolina Pond.