Royal Mills dam
Royal Mills
Royal Mills, also known as Riverpoint Upper Dam, is a historic hydroelectric facility located in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Constructed in 1861, this gravity dam stands at a height of 21 feet and spans 130 feet across the South Branch Pawtuxet River. With a storage capacity of 15.2 acre-feet and a drainage area of 73 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in generating hydroelectric power in the region.
Managed by a private owner, Royal Mills is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being classified as a high hazard potential structure, the dam's condition assessment is currently not available. As a key player in Rhode Island's water resource management and climate resilience efforts, Royal Mills serves as a reminder of the intersection between historical infrastructure and modern-day environmental stewardship.
With its rich history, picturesque setting, and ongoing role in hydroelectric power production, Royal Mills stands as a testament to the importance of balancing preservation with innovation in the realm of water resources and climate adaptation. As enthusiasts and stakeholders continue to monitor and engage with this iconic structure, its legacy as a vital piece of Rhode Island's energy landscape remains as strong as ever.
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 Royal Mills -- 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 | → |
| Hunt River Near East Greenwich | 25 cfs | → |
| Nooseneck River At Nooseneck | 9 cfs | → |
| Moshassuck River At Providence | 17 cfs | → |
| Woonasquatucket River At Centerdale | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Royal Mills.
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 Royal Mills 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 Royal Mills
Where does the data for Royal Mills 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 Royal Mills.