Flat River Reservoir
Flat River Reservoir is a gravity dam located in Kent County, Rhode Island, built in 1873. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Flat River Reservoir
The primary purpose of Flat River Reservoir is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Quidnick Reservoir Company (private). It impounds the Pawtuxet River-south Branch near Coventry.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 750 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 950 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 12,650 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 58 square miles. Completed in 1873, 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.
Location
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Kent |
| Nearest City | Coventry |
| River/Stream | Pawtuxet River-south Branch |
| Coordinates | 41.69444, -71.59473 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 750 ft |
| Year Completed | 1873 (153 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 12,650 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 12,650 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,195 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 950 acres |
| Drainage Area | 58 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 12,000 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | QUIDNICK RESERVOIR COMPANY |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | RI00601 |
| Federal ID | RI00601 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |