Pawtucket Upper

BLACKSTONE RIVER· Providence, Rhode Island· Built 1800· Concrete· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Private

Key Takeaway

Pawtucket Upper is classified as low hazard in Rhode Island. It was completed in 1800 and is 226 years old.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 66.7% in RI)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage60 acre-ft
Normal Storage45 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area474 sq mi
Max Discharge20,700 cfs
Year Completed1800 (226 years old)
NID IDRI04270

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

NARRAGANSETT ELECTRIC COMPANY

Private

Nearby Dams

Pawtucket Lower

Providence, RI

Significant Hazard 4 ft

Central Falls

Providence, RI

Low Hazard 14 ft

Valley Falls

Providence, RI

Low Hazard 31 ft

Happy Hollow Pond

Providence, RI

Significant Hazard 15 ft

Bucklin Point

Providence, RI

High Hazard 19 ft

Bleachery Pond

Providence, RI

High Hazard 8 ft

Robin Hollow Pond

Providence, RI

Significant Hazard 13 ft

Barney Pond

Providence, RI

High Hazard 19 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pawtucket Upper?

Pawtucket Upper 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 Pawtucket Upper?

Pawtucket Upper is owned by NARRAGANSETT ELECTRIC COMPANY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pawtucket Upper built?

Pawtucket Upper was completed in 1800, making it 226 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

How tall is Pawtucket Upper?

Pawtucket Upper has a dam height of 15 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.