Scituate Reservoir

Scituate Reservoir
Lake name	Scituate Reservoir
Location	Rhode Island
Type	Reservoir
Inflow	Scituate River
Outflow	Scituate River
Basin countries	United States

Scituate Reservoir is a large Reservoir located in Rhode Island, United States, and is the largest Water supply system in the state, serving approximately 60% of the population, including the cities of Providence, Warwick, and Cranston. The reservoir is managed by the Providence Water Supply Board and is an essential part of the state's Water infrastructure, similar to the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the New York City Water Supply System. The reservoir's water quality is monitored by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Introduction

The Scituate Reservoir is a vital component of Rhode Island's water supply system, providing drinking water to over 600,000 people, and is similar in importance to the Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts and the Ashokan Reservoir in New York. The reservoir is situated in the Scituate River valley, which is surrounded by the Scituate Reservoir Park and the George B. Parker Woodland, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities, similar to those found at Lake Tahoe and Yellowstone National Park. The reservoir's construction was a significant engineering feat, involving the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Providence Water Supply Board, and was completed in 1926, around the same time as the construction of the Hoover Dam and the Grand Coulee Dam.

Geography

The Scituate Reservoir is located in the Town of Scituate, Rhode Island, and covers an area of approximately 5.3 square miles, making it one of the largest reservoirs in New England, similar in size to Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Champlain. The reservoir has a maximum depth of around 100 feet and a shoreline of over 20 miles, offering scenic views and opportunities for Boating and Fishing, similar to those found at Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The surrounding landscape is characterized by rolling hills, Forests, and Wetlands, which are home to a diverse range of Wildlife, including White-tailed deer, Wild turkey, and Bald eagles, similar to the ecosystems found at Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park.

History

The Scituate Reservoir was constructed in the 1920s to meet the growing demand for Water supply in Rhode Island, particularly in the cities of Providence and Warwick, which were experiencing rapid growth and development, similar to the growth of New York City and Los Angeles during the same period. The reservoir was built by the Providence Water Supply Board in collaboration with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and was completed in 1926, around the same time as the construction of the Hoover Dam and the Grand Coulee Dam. The reservoir's construction involved the relocation of several communities, including the town of Kent, which was flooded to create the reservoir, similar to the relocation of communities during the construction of the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Boulder Dam.

Water Supply

The Scituate Reservoir is the primary source of drinking water for over 60% of Rhode Island's population, including the cities of Providence, Warwick, and Cranston, which are served by the Providence Water Supply Board and the Rhode Island Water Resources Board. The reservoir's water supply system is managed by the Providence Water Supply Board and involves a complex network of Pipes, Pumps, and Treatment plants, similar to the water supply systems of New York City and Los Angeles. The reservoir's water quality is monitored by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, which work to ensure that the water meets or exceeds Drinking water standards, similar to those set by the World Health Organization and the European Union.

Environmental Impact

The Scituate Reservoir has had a significant impact on the local Environment, including the displacement of several communities and the alteration of the Scituate River ecosystem, similar to the environmental impacts of the Aswan Dam and the Three Gorges Dam. The reservoir's construction also led to the loss of Habitat for several species of Fish and Wildlife, including the Brook trout and the Bald eagle, which are protected by the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. However, the reservoir has also created new habitats for other species, such as the Canada goose and the Mallard duck, which are found in similar habitats at Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the United States Environmental Protection Agency work to mitigate the environmental impacts of the reservoir and to protect the surrounding Ecosystems, similar to the efforts of the National Park Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Recreation

The Scituate Reservoir offers a range of recreational opportunities, including Boating, Fishing, and Hiking, which are similar to those found at Lake Tahoe and Yellowstone National Park. The reservoir is surrounded by the Scituate Reservoir Park and the George B. Parker Woodland, which offer scenic views, Trails, and Picnic areas, similar to those found at Acadia National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The reservoir is also a popular spot for Birdwatching, with over 100 species of Birds documented in the area, including the Bald eagle and the Osprey, which are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Providence Water Supply Board work to balance recreational use with the need to protect the reservoir's water quality and the surrounding Environment, similar to the efforts of the National Park Service and the United States Forest Service.

Category:Reservoirs in Rhode Island