Pawtucket Lower
Pawtucket Lower is a masonry dam located in Providence County, Rhode Island, built in 1894. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Pawtucket Lower
The primary purpose of Pawtucket Lower is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Gravity Renewables, Inc. (private). It impounds the Blackstone River near Pawtucket.
The dam stands 4 feet tall and stretches 200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 478 square miles. Completed in 1894, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/13/2022.
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Location
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Providence |
| Nearest City | Pawtucket |
| River/Stream | Blackstone River |
| Coordinates | 41.87690, -71.38270 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 4 ft |
| Dam Height | 4 ft |
| Dam Length | 200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1894 (132 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1 acres |
| Drainage Area | 478 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,300 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Gravity Renewables, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/13/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | RI04271 |
| Federal ID | RI04271 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |