Pawtucket Lower dam
Pawtucket Lower
Pawtucket Lower, also known as Bridge Mill Dam, is a historic masonry dam located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, along the Blackstone River. Built in 1894, this dam serves a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, making it an important water resource in the area. With a height of 4 feet and a length of 200 feet, Pawtucket Lower has a storage capacity of 3 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 1300 cubic feet per second.
Managed by a private owner and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Pawtucket Lower poses a significant hazard potential due to its age and condition assessment being listed as "Not Available". The dam's spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 167 feet, indicating the need for proper maintenance and inspection. Despite its risk assessment being moderate, the dam's historical significance and contribution to the local hydroelectric power supply make it a notable site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor and advocate for its preservation and safety.
As part of the New England District, Pawtucket Lower stands as a reminder of the region's industrial past and the importance of sustainable water management practices. With its unique design and location along the Blackstone River, this masonry dam continues to play a crucial role in the local ecosystem while offering insights into the intersection of water resources and climate resilience. It serves as a focal point for ongoing discussions on dam safety, emergency preparedness, and the balance between historical preservation and modern energy needs in Rhode Island.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Pawtucket Lower -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackstone R At Roosevelt St At Pawtucket Ri | 520 cfs | → |
| Moshassuck River At Providence | 15 cfs | → |
| Ten Mile River At Pawtucket Ave @ E Providence | 49 cfs | → |
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 25 cfs | → |
| Pawtuxet River At Cranston | 170 cfs | → |
| Blackstone River At Woonsocket | 433 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pawtucket Lower .
Boat launches
- Olney Pond
- Lincoln Woods
- Falls Pond
- Stillhouse Cove
- Sabin Point Waterfront Park
- Farnum Pike 334, Smithfield
Campgrounds
- George Washington State Campground
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- "The Sandpits" Private Hiking And Winter Sports Area
- Camp Christina Entrance
- Ymca Camp
Fishing spots
Track Pawtucket Lower in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Pawtucket Lower
Where does the data for Pawtucket Lower come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Pawtucket Lower .