Potowomut Pond

POTOWOMUT RIVER· Washington, Rhode Island· Built 1885· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Potowomut Pond is classified as low hazard in Rhode Island. It was completed in 1885 and is 141 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 31.5% in RI)
Dam Length294 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage68 acre-ft
Normal Storage54 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area23 sq mi
Max Discharge680 cfs
Year Completed1885 (141 years old)
NID IDRI02304

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 Potowomut Pond?

Potowomut 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 Potowomut Pond?

Potowomut 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 Potowomut Pond built?

Potowomut Pond was completed in 1885, making it 141 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 Potowomut Pond?

Potowomut 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 Potowomut Pond?

Potowomut Pond has a dam height of 10 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.