Nichols Pond
Nichols Pond is a gravity dam located in Providence County, Rhode Island, built in 1885. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Nichols Pond
The primary purpose of Nichols Pond is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Rossi, David W. & Linda M. (private). It impounds the Tarkiln Brook near North Smithfield.
The dam stands 11 feet tall and stretches 110 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 24 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 130 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1885, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam.
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Location
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Providence |
| Nearest City | North Smithfield |
| River/Stream | Tarkiln Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.95553, -71.59968 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 11 ft |
| Dam Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Length | 110 ft |
| Year Completed | 1885 (141 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 130 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 130 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 77 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 24 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 560 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | ROSSI, DAVID W. & LINDA M. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | RI00309 |
| Federal ID | RI00309 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |