Barden Reservoir

About Barden Reservoir

The primary purpose of Barden Reservoir 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 Providence Water Supply Board/city Of Providence (local government). It impounds the Ponaganset River near Scituate.

The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 612 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 240 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,320 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 33 square miles. Completed in 1883, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam.

At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.

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