Breakheart Pond

BREAKHEART BROOK· Washington, Rhode Island· Built 1900· Earth· 13 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Breakheart Pond is classified as low hazard in Rhode Island. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 55.9% in RI)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage300 acre-ft
Normal Storage250 acre-ft
Surface Area48 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge964 cfs
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDRI01102

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: No

Ownership

RI DEM FISH & WILDLIFE

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Breakheart Pond?

Breakheart Pond is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Breakheart Pond?

Breakheart Pond is owned by RI DEM FISH & WILDLIFE (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Breakheart Pond built?

Breakheart Pond was completed in 1900, making it 126 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Breakheart Pond?

Breakheart Pond serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Breakheart Pond?

Breakheart Pond has a dam height of 13 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.