Harrisville Pond

Harrisville Pond is a rockfill dam located in Providence County, Rhode Island, built in 1854. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.

About Harrisville Pond

The primary purpose of Harrisville Pond is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Remington, Clinton O., Iii (local government). It impounds the Pascoag River near Burrillville.

The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 550 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 18 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 43 square miles. Completed in 1854, 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. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. 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.

High HazardPoor ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateRhode Island
CountyProvidence
Nearest CityBurrillville
River/StreamPascoag River
Coordinates41.96574, -71.67487

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeRockfill
NID Height22 ft
Dam Height19 ft
Dam Length550 ft
Year Completed1854 (172 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage100 acre-ft
Max Storage100 acre-ft
Normal Storage56 acre-ft
Surface Area18 acres
Drainage Area43 sq mi
Max Discharge3,200 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerREMINGTON, CLINTON O., III
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentPoor
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDRI00303
Federal IDRI00303
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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