Wallum Lake Dam
Status of the Seasonal Water Levels as of 1/3/24:
The town is in the process of getting approval from RI DEM to adjust the seasonal lake levels. Until RI DEM authorizes the lake levels to be adjusted, the seasonal water levels of the lake need to be maintained at the same levels of previous years.
Additionally, an engineering survey was performed two years ago, which required a new measurement placard be installed on the dam 3 inches lower than the existing placard. Now with the new placard being in place 3 inches lower, the target seasonal measurements on the new placard will need to be maintained 3 inches above the previous measurement marks of 585.40 for summer, until RI DEM gives authorization to make changes to the seasonal lake levels. Therefore, until further notice, the target levels as measured on the new placard will be 585.70 for the summer season and 584.00 for the winter season.
Status of the Wallum Lake Dam as of 4/15/2022:
The following items are still ongoing, with no new information at this point:
- The creation of the Memo of Agreement to set the seasonal water levels
- The Town has submitted a Preliminary Determination Application to RI DEM in order to determine the allowable seasonal water levels, and is awaiting a reply
- Awaiting the engineering/data survey as it relates to the culverts/pipe diameter at the Route 100 roadway
Thank you for your interest in the information relating to the Wallum Lake Dam.
The Wallum Lake Dam is currently undergoing an engineering review to create a long term control and management plan for the dam. This review will consist of the following three phases:
1. The Town of Burrillville will have engineers complete a water level survey of the lake. Based on this data, a new water level sign will be installed at the dam.
* The new placard has been installed on the dam.
2. The responsible parties to the lake will complete a Mutual Dam Water Control Level Agreement. The parties include the Town of Burrillville, RI; Douglas State Forest, MA; and Zambarano Memorial Hospital, RI. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will also be requested to review the proposed seasonal water levels for added input and recommendations. All questions that were received from the residents on the lake will be reviewed and addressed as part of the discussions within the agreement.
*The new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is currently being discussed, however RIDEM has concerns about the impact lowering the summer water level will have on the wetlands areas. Therefore, the Town has submitted a Preliminary Determination Application to RIDEM and is currently under review with the biologist assigned to this application. Based on RIDEM's review of this application, RIDEM will decide if a Freshwater Wetlands Permit will be required in order to set lower target water levels. The MOA can not be signed until the RIDEM process is complete.
3. The Town of Burrillville will develop an annual maintenance plan for the dam.
*Burrillville Department of Public Works (DPW) is currently investigating options to create a more consistent and reliable plan to address both the technical and operational needs of the dam. A hydraulic analysis for design options has been completed.