Black Rock Reservoir dam
Black Rock Reservoir
Black Rock Reservoir, located in West Warwick, Rhode Island, is a private-owned water resource that serves as a popular recreational spot in the area. The reservoir, completed in 1885, stands at a height of 11 feet and has a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet. With a surface area of 17 acres and a maximum discharge of 262 cubic feet per second, the reservoir is a vital component of the local water management infrastructure.
Managed by the state regulatory agency, Black Rock Reservoir is inspected regularly to ensure its safe operation. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the reservoir is currently assessed to be in fair condition. With a spillway width of 12 feet and a drainage area of 1 square mile, the reservoir plays a crucial role in flood control and water supply management in the region. Additionally, the reservoir is situated along the Blackrock Brook, further enhancing its ecological significance.
Black Rock Reservoir's historical significance, combined with its recreational and ecological value, makes it a vital water resource for the region. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the reservoir's role in water management and conservation becomes increasingly crucial. With ongoing inspections and maintenance, the reservoir remains a key asset for the community, providing both practical benefits and a recreational oasis for residents and visitors alike.
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 Black Rock Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Pawtuxet River At Washington | 87 cfs | → |
| Pawtuxet River At Cranston | 176 cfs | → |
| Nooseneck River At Nooseneck | 9 cfs | → |
| Hunt River Near East Greenwich | 25 cfs | → |
| Peeptoad Brook At Elmdale Rd Nr North Scituate | 2 cfs | → |
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black Rock Reservoir.
Boat launches
- Jl Curran
- Goddard Park
- Robert Avenue 1, Warwick
- Oakland Beach
- Stillhouse Cove
- Sabin Point Waterfront Park
Campgrounds
- Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds
- Camp Hoffman
- George Washington State Campground
- Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, Cub World
- Camp Watchaug (Westerly Ymca)
- 315 - Burlingham
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Black Rock Reservoir 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 Black Rock Reservoir
Where does the data for Black Rock Reservoir 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 High 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 Black Rock Reservoir.