Horseshoe
Horseshoe is an earth dam located in Providence County, Rhode Island, built in 1920. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Horseshoe
The primary purpose of Horseshoe 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 Pawtuxet River-north Branch near Scituate.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 240 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 242 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,935 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 22 square miles. Completed in 1920, 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.
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Location
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Providence |
| Nearest City | Scituate |
| River/Stream | Pawtuxet River-north Branch |
| Coordinates | 41.83302, -71.59353 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Length | 240 ft |
| Year Completed | 1920 (106 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,935 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,935 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,314 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 242 acres |
| Drainage Area | 22 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,000 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 | RI03004 |
| Federal ID | RI03004 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |