Scituate Reservoir

Scituate Reservoir
shoreline in early autumn
Location of Scituate Reservoir in Rhode Island, USA.
Location of Scituate Reservoir in Rhode Island, USA.
Scituate Reservoir
Location of Scituate Reservoir in Rhode Island, USA.
Location of Scituate Reservoir in Rhode Island, USA.
Scituate Reservoir
LocationScituate, Providence County, Rhode Island, United States
Coordinates41°46′21″N 71°36′39″W / 41.7724732°N 71.6108501°W / 41.7724732; -71.6108501[1]
TypeReservoir
Primary inflowsNorth Branch Pawtuxet River
Moswansicut River
Ponaganset River
Primary outflowsNorth Branch Pawtuxet River
Catchment area94 sq mi (240 km2)
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length7 mi (11 km)
Max. width2.5 mi (4.0 km)
Surface area5.3 sq mi (14 km2)
Average depth32 ft (9.8 m)
Max. depth87 ft (27 m)
Water volume39×10^9 US gal (150,000,000 m3).
Shore length166 mi (106 km)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The Scituate Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in the state of Rhode Island. It has an aggregate capacity of 39 billion US gallons (150,000,000 m3) and a surface area of 5.3 square miles (14 km2). It and its six tributary reservoirs—which make up a total surface area of 7.2 square miles (19 km2)—supply drinking water to more than 60 percent of the state population, including Providence.

The surrounding drainage basin that provides water to the reservoir system covers an area of about 94 square miles (240 km2), which includes most of the town of Scituate and parts of Foster, Glocester, Johnston, and Cranston. The Scituate Reservoir is operated by Providence Water Supply Board.

  1. ^ "Scituate Reservoir". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved Jan 15, 2021.