Valley Falls
Valley Falls is a masonry dam located in Providence County, Rhode Island, built in 1859. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Valley Falls
The primary purpose of Valley Falls 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 Gelardin/bruner/cott, Inc. (private). It impounds the Blackstone River near Central Falls.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 15 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 80 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 446 square miles. Completed in 1859, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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 07/10/2018.
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Location
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Providence |
| Nearest City | Central Falls |
| River/Stream | Blackstone River |
| Coordinates | 41.89910, -71.38950 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1859 (167 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 80 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 80 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 80 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 15 acres |
| Drainage Area | 446 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 17,288 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Gelardin/Bruner/Cott, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/10/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | RI00401 |
| Federal ID | RI00401 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |