Woonsocket Reservoir # 3
Woonsocket Reservoir # 3 is a gravity dam located in Providence County, Rhode Island, built in 1895. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Woonsocket Reservoir # 3
The primary purpose of Woonsocket Reservoir # 3 is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Woonsocket Water Division (local government). It impounds the Crookfall Brook near North Smithfield.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 1,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 227 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,740 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1895, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Rhode Island dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Providence |
| Nearest City | North Smithfield |
| River/Stream | Crookfall Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.94290, -71.49141 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1895 (131 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,740 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,740 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,950 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 227 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 433 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | WOONSOCKET WATER DIVISION |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | RI02505 |
| Federal ID | RI02505 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |