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Smithfield adopts hazard mitigation plan, flags unsafe dams for follow-up
Summary
The council approved a town hazard mitigation plan March 17 after Emergency Management Director Todd Manny described flooding as Smithfield’s primary natural hazard, listed multiple high-hazard dams (two described as unsafe) and recommended repairs, emergency action planning and grant exploration.
The Smithfield Town Council on March 17 adopted the town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan after a presentation from Emergency Management Director Todd Manny.
Manny told the council that flooding is the town’s principal natural hazard and that the plan inventories multiple dams: two dams identified as significant (Pawkins Pond and Stillwater Pond) and several high-hazard dams, with two high-hazard and two significant-hazard dams noted as currently in the "unsafe" category according to available records. Manny said the town is obtaining updated engineering reports to confirm which dams are unsafe and recommended remedies including repairs, emergency action plans and pursuing low- or no-interest loans through the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank for privately owned dams.
He explained that most of the town’s dams are privately owned; the town owns the Georgeville Pond Dam and Upper Sprag Reservoir Dam and would support planning and construction work for municipally owned dams. The council adopted the plan and asked Manny to return with updated engineering documentation identifying which dams are classified as "unsafe" and the options and cost estimates for mitigation work.
The adoption opens avenues for long-term repairs, inclusion of mitigation steps in the town’s capital improvement plan and eligibility for state and federal grants, Manny said.
