Royal Mills Dam
Royal Mills Dam is a gravity dam located in Kent County, Rhode Island, built in 1861. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Royal Mills Dam
The primary purpose of Royal Mills Dam 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 Jg Royal Mill, Llc & Jjh Royal Mill, Llc (private). It impounds the South Branch Pawtuxet River near West Warwick.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 130 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a storage capacity of 15 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 73 square miles. Completed in 1861, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this 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 | Kent |
| Nearest City | West Warwick |
| River/Stream | South Branch Pawtuxet River |
| Coordinates | 41.71279, -71.51646 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 130 ft |
| Year Completed | 1861 (165 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 15 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 15 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3 acres |
| Drainage Area | 73 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,100 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | JG Royal Mill, LLC & JJH Royal Mill, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | RI04367 |
| Federal ID | RI04367 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |