Slater Mill Dam

The Slater Mill Dam is located adjacent to the historic Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI, approximately 300 feet upstream of the Main Street Dam. The dam was built in 1793 and served as the first commercially viable cotton-spinning mill in the United States used to convert raw cotton into cloth. Slater Mill is generally cited as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in America, and thus has important historical value.

The Slater Mill Dam is the second upstream dam on the Blackstone River. The 171 foot long dam stands approximately seven feet tall. The hydroelectric turbines in the mill have not been in operation for years. The project proponent, Slater Mill Association, with funding support from NRCS is proposing to install a structure assisted fish passage to facilitate fish passage over the Slater Mill Dam.

Project Pictures

Southeasterly view of the Slater Mill Dam

Northerly view of Slater Mill

Northerly view of the Slater Mill Dam with Slater Mill in the background

Northeasterly view of the Slater Mill Dam from the Main Street Bridge. Note: Slater Mill, adjacent to the dam on the left