Yorker Mill Pond
Yorker Mill Pond is a rockfill dam located in Washington County, Rhode Island, built in 1855. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Yorker Mill Pond
Yorker Mill Pond is a dam in Washington, Rhode Island. The dam is owned by Dorset Mill Partnership (private). It impounds the Chipuxet River near Exeter.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 350 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 14 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1855, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard 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 | Washington |
| Nearest City | Exeter |
| River/Stream | Chipuxet River |
| Coordinates | 41.52171, -71.52325 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 350 ft |
| Year Completed | 1855 (171 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 100 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 84 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 14 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 236 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | DORSET MILL PARTNERSHIP |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | RI01109 |
| Federal ID | RI01109 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |