Riverdale Mills
Riverdale Mills is a concrete dam located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, built in 1957. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Riverdale Mills
The primary purpose of Riverdale Mills 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 James M. Knott (private). It impounds the Blackstone River near Northbridge.
The dam stands 10 feet tall and stretches 142 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 12 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 89 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 142 square miles. Completed in 1957, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 08/02/2022.
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Location
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Nearest City | Northbridge |
| River/Stream | Blackstone River |
| Coordinates | 42.13880, -71.64020 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Length | 142 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 89 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 89 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 89 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 12 acres |
| Drainage Area | 142 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 19,400 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | James M. Knott |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/02/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MA00942 |
| Federal ID | MA00942 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |