Shady Lea Mill dam
Shady Lea Mill
Shady Lea Mill, located in Washington, Rhode Island, sits along the picturesque Mattatuxet River. This private-owned structure is regulated by the state and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. The dam associated with Shady Lea Mill has a high hazard potential and is currently rated in poor condition, with the last inspection in October 2017 raising concerns about its safety.
Despite its historical significance and industrial heritage, Shady Lea Mill faces challenges in maintaining its infrastructure, particularly the dam's condition and hazard potential. The mill's location along the Mattatuxet River adds to its appeal for water resource and climate enthusiasts, but also highlights the importance of proper maintenance and risk management measures. With an outdated inspection in 2014 and a high hazard potential, there is a pressing need for updated assessments and emergency preparedness plans to mitigate any potential risks associated with the structure.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the preservation and maintenance of structures like Shady Lea Mill become increasingly crucial. The involvement of state regulatory agencies and the recognition of the dam's poor condition emphasize the need for proactive measures to address potential risks and ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, it is essential to monitor and advocate for the proper management and maintenance of such structures to protect both historical landmarks and the natural ecosystems they are a part of.
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 Shady Lea Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Queen R At Liberty Rd At Liberty Ri | 15 cfs | → |
| Chipuxet River At West Kingston | 8 cfs | → |
| Hunt River Near East Greenwich | 22 cfs | → |
| Usquepaug River Near Usquepaug | 40 cfs | → |
| Beaver River Near Usquepaug | 12 cfs | → |
| Pawcatuck River | 105 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shady Lea Mill.
Boat launches
- Indian Lake State Boat Launch
- Fort Getty
- Jamestown
- Barber Pond
- Sandy Bottom Shores Drive Peacedale
- Fort Wetherill Road Jamestown
Campgrounds
- Camp Hoffman
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- 315 - Burlingham
- Mystic Koa Holiday
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- George Washington State Campground
Fishing spots
Track Shady Lea Mill 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 Shady Lea Mill
Where does the data for Shady Lea Mill 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 Shady Lea Mill.