Barden Reservoir is a masonry dam located in Providence County, Rhode Island, built in 1883. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 35 ft35 ft tall and 612 ft long, taller than 80% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Barden Reservoir
The primary purpose of Barden 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 Ponaganset River near Scituate.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 612 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 240 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,320 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 33 square miles. Completed in 1883, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Providence |
| Nearest City | Scituate |
| River/Stream | Ponaganset River |
| Coordinates | 41.79198, -71.67375 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 612 ft |
| Year Completed | 1883 (143 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,320 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,320 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,620 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 240 acres |
| Drainage Area | 33 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,654 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Providence Water Supply Board/city of Providence |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | RI03003 |
| Federal ID | RI03003 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |