Bleachery Pond dam
Bleachery Pond
Bleachery Pond, located in Lincoln, Rhode Island, is a private hydroelectric dam that was completed in 1883. The dam stands at 8 feet high and spans a length of 400 feet, with a storage capacity of 30 acre-feet. Situated on the Moshassuck River, the dam has a maximum discharge rate of 1375 cubic feet per second and a spillway width of 55 feet. Despite its historic significance, the dam has been classified as having a high hazard potential and poor condition, with the last inspection in 2010 revealing the need for urgent maintenance and repairs.
The primary purpose of Bleachery Pond is hydroelectric power generation, making it a key contributor to the region's renewable energy resources. However, its deteriorating condition poses a threat to both the environment and local communities downstream. With state regulation and enforcement in place, there is a need for proactive measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam. It remains critical for stakeholders to prioritize the maintenance and rehabilitation of Bleachery Pond to mitigate the risk of potential failures and safeguard the surrounding ecosystem.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the conservation and sustainable management of Bleachery Pond serves as a crucial focal point for addressing the intersection of infrastructure, energy, and environmental protection. By implementing risk assessment and management measures, along with regular inspections and maintenance, the dam can continue to harness the power of water while minimizing its impact on the surrounding ecosystem. Ultimately, the preservation of Bleachery Pond is not only essential for maintaining a renewable energy source but also for safeguarding the long-term resilience and sustainability of the region's water resources in the face of climate change.
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 Bleachery Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackstone R At Roosevelt St At Pawtucket Ri | 520 cfs | → |
| Moshassuck River At Providence | 15 cfs | → |
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 25 cfs | → |
| Ten Mile River At Pawtucket Ave @ E Providence | 49 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Woonsocket | 433 cfs | → |
| Pawtuxet River At Cranston | 170 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bleachery Pond.
Boat launches
- Olney Pond
- Lincoln Woods
- Falls Pond
- Farnum Pike 334, Smithfield
- Stillhouse Cove
- Sabin Point Waterfront Park
Campgrounds
- George Washington State Campground
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Camp Christina Entrance
- Ymca Camp
Fishing spots
Track Bleachery 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 Bleachery Pond
Where does the data for Bleachery 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 Bleachery Pond.