Diamond Hill Reservoir facts for kids
Diamond Hill Reservoir is a large body of water in Cumberland, Providence County, Rhode Island. It's also sometimes called the Pawtucket Upper Reservoir. This important reservoir is located close to a place called Diamond Hill.
The main purpose of the Diamond Hill Reservoir is to store fresh water. This water is then used as drinking water for the city of Pawtucket. It's a vital part of the city's water supply system.
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What is the Diamond Hill Reservoir?
The Diamond Hill Reservoir is a man-made lake. It was created to collect and hold water from the Abbott Run waterway. This water is then treated and sent to homes and businesses in Pawtucket.
How Big is the Reservoir?
The Diamond Hill Reservoir is quite large! It covers an area of about 390 acres. To give you an idea, that's like more than 295 football fields! When it's full, it can hold a huge amount of water, up to 15,680 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep. Normally, it stores around 11,000 acre-feet of water.
Right next to the Diamond Hill Reservoir, to its south, you'll find another body of water called the Arnold Mills Reservoir.
The Diamond Hill Reservoir Dam
To create the reservoir, a special structure called the Diamond Hill Reservoir Dam was built. This dam is made of earth, which means it's built from compacted soil and rock.
When Was the Dam Built?
The Diamond Hill Reservoir Dam was finished in 1971. That means it has been helping to provide clean drinking water for over 50 years!
How Big is the Dam?
The dam is quite impressive in size. It stands about 80 feet tall, which is roughly as tall as an 8-story building. It stretches for a long distance, about 2,000 feet across its top. That's almost half a mile long!
Who Manages the Reservoir and Dam?
Both the Diamond Hill Reservoir and its dam are managed by the city of Pawtucket. Specifically, the Pawtucket Water Supply Board is in charge of making sure the water is safe and that the reservoir and dam are working properly. They play a very important role in providing water to the community.
Images for kids
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Oblique view of Arnold Mills Reservoir (left) and Diamond Hill Reservoir (right) in 1974
