Gainer Memorial dam
Gainer Memorial
Gainer Memorial, also known as Scituate Reservoir, is a key water resource infrastructure located in Scituate, Rhode Island. It was completed in 1926 and serves as a vital water supply source for the area, with a normal storage capacity of 114,000 acre-feet and a maximum capacity of 164,850 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 3,390 acres and is fed by the Pawtuxet River-North Branch, with a drainage area of 93 square miles.
This earth dam structure stands at a height of 109 feet, with a hydraulic height of 96 feet and a structural height of 189 feet. Despite its significant storage capacity, Gainer Memorial is classified as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment. The dam is regulated by the state of Rhode Island and undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in October 2017. The reservoir plays a crucial role in water supply management for the region, highlighting the importance of maintaining and monitoring its structural integrity to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the sustainability of water resources in the area.
In addition to its primary function of water supply, Gainer Memorial also serves as a recreational and scenic area for residents and visitors to enjoy. The reservoir's location in Providence, Rhode Island, offers opportunities for outdoor activities and wildlife observation, contributing to the area's natural beauty and ecological diversity. With its rich history and significant impact on water resource management, Gainer Memorial stands as a prominent landmark and symbol of the importance of sustainable water infrastructure in the face of climate change and increasing water scarcity challenges.
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 Gainer Memorial -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Branch Pawtuxet River At Washington | 87 cfs | → |
| Peeptoad Brook At Elmdale Rd Nr North Scituate | 2 cfs | → |
| Pawtuxet River At Cranston | 173 cfs | → |
| Ponaganset River At South Foster | 7 cfs | → |
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 25 cfs | → |
| Nooseneck River At Nooseneck | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gainer Memorial.
Track Gainer Memorial 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 Gainer Memorial
Where does the data for Gainer Memorial 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 Gainer Memorial.