Central Falls
Central Falls is a rockfill dam located in Providence County, Rhode Island, built in 1850. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Central Falls
The primary purpose of Central 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 Ri Dem (state). It impounds the Blackstone River near Central Falls.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 220 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 160 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 473 square miles. Completed in 1850, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks.
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Location
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Providence |
| Nearest City | Central Falls |
| River/Stream | Blackstone River |
| Coordinates | 41.88774, -71.38020 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 14 ft |
| Dam Length | 220 ft |
| Year Completed | 1850 (176 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 160 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 160 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 98 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 473 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 17,300 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | RI DEM |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | RI00402 |
| Federal ID | RI00402 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |