Atlantic Mills |
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The Atlantic Mills Dam is located at 50 Aleppo Street in the Olneyville section of the City of Providence, Rhode Island. The Atlantic Mills Dam is located approximately 3 miles upstream from the mouth of the Woonasquatucket River and is the third dam upstream on the river. Olneyville is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Providence and is a designated Federal Enterprise Community neighborhood. Restoration of the river and its habitat is an important element for the Greenway Project. This project is consistent with the locally-driven Woonasquatucket River Watershed Action Plan, wherein stakeholders identified, as a priority, the development of strategies to “protect and restore natural habitats including riparian buffers, wetlands, and anadromous fish runs throughout the watershed.” The Atlantic Mills Dam was historically used to provide the Riverside Worsted Mills complex with water for steam power. The mill complex was built in 1863 and was a major manufacturer of woolen goods, coffin coverings, and cassimeres. The mill ceased industrial manufacturing in 1937 when the American Woolen Company sold the mill complex to the Providence Warehouse Company. The dam has not been used for its originally intended purpose since sometime in this era. The Atlantic Mills Dam is adjacent to the Riverside Mills Neighborhood Restoration Project, a former Brownfield that has been reclaimed and is currently being redeveloped as a City Park. The redevelopment of this site included extensive restoration of the riparian buffer as well as the creation of an off-channel wetland downstream of the dam. These efforts have contributed to the improved riparian habitat in the project area. The project proponent, City of Providence, with funding support from NRCS, is proposing to install a structure assisted fish passage at the Atlantic Mills Dam. Installation of a fishway at this site will further support the City’s efforts at restoring riparian areas and providing public access through the park. |
Project Pictures |
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Westerly view of the Atlantic Mills Dam |
Southerly view of Atlantic Mills headpond |