Nelson Pond
Nelson Pond is a rockfill dam located in Newport County, Rhode Island, built in 1885. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Nelson Pond
The primary purpose of Nelson Pond 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 Newport, City Of (local government). It impounds the Paradise Brook near Middletown.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 1,180 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 33 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 308 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1885, 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 | Newport |
| Nearest City | Middletown |
| River/Stream | Paradise Brook |
| Coordinates | 41.49135, -71.26276 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,180 ft |
| Year Completed | 1885 (141 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 308 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 308 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 33 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 220 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | NEWPORT, CITY OF |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | RI01901 |
| Federal ID | RI01901 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |