Westconnaug Reservoir
Westconnaug Reservoir is an earth dam located in Providence County, Rhode Island, built in 1924. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Westconnaug Reservoir
The primary purpose of Westconnaug Reservoir is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Providence Water Supply Board/city Of Providence (local government). It impounds the Westconnaug Brook near Scituate.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 322 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 174 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,620 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1924, the structure is over a century old.
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 | Providence |
| Nearest City | Scituate |
| River/Stream | Westconnaug Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.77226, -71.67717 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 322 ft |
| Year Completed | 1924 (102 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,620 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,620 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,390 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 174 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 220 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | PROVIDENCE WATER SUPPLY BOARD/CITY OF PROVIDENCE |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | RI01201 |
| Federal ID | RI01201 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |