Hefler Farm Pond dam
Hefler Farm Pond
Hefler Farm Pond, also known as Browning Pond, is a picturesque water resource located in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. This man-made pond serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stocking, and providing a habitat for small fish. Constructed in 1972, the dam at Hefler Farm Pond stands at a height of 11 feet with a structural height of 8 feet and a hydraulic height of 6 feet, creating a storage capacity of 6 acre-feet.
Despite its scenic beauty and important functions, Hefler Farm Pond poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition. The last inspection in 2017 revealed deficiencies that need to be addressed to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam. With a drainage area of 2 acres and a maximum discharge of 105 cubic feet per second, the pond plays a critical role in managing water flow in the area and protecting downstream communities from flooding risks.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, it is crucial for stakeholders to prioritize the maintenance and rehabilitation of structures like Hefler Farm Pond to enhance resilience and ensure sustainable water management practices. By investing in necessary repairs and updates, this historic pond can continue to provide vital services while safeguarding the surrounding environment 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 Hefler Farm Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chipuxet River At West Kingston | 8 cfs | → |
| Usquepaug River Near Usquepaug | 40 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River | 105 cfs | → |
| Queen R At Liberty Rd At Liberty Ri | 15 cfs | → |
| Beaver River Near Usquepaug | 12 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River At Wood River Junction | 118 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hefler Farm Pond.
Boat launches
- Sandy Bottom Shores Drive Peacedale
- Indian Lake State Boat Launch
- Tucker Pond
- Monahan's Dock
- Worden Pond State Boat Launch
- Barber Pond
Campgrounds
- Camp Hoffman
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- 315 - Burlingham
- Mystic Koa Holiday
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Hefler Farm 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 Hefler Farm Pond
Where does the data for Hefler Farm 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 Hefler Farm Pond.