USACE – Fish Passage Facilities

Owner: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

Overview: The Ten Mile River originates in Massachusetts, crosses into Rhode Island and flows through East Providence into the Seekonk River. Historically, the Ten Mile River hosted large runs of anadromous fish, mainly herring. The fish entered the Ten Mile River from the Seekonk River, swam up stream and spawned in the Turner Reservoir. Early in the 20th Century, dams were built for water supply and electricity generation. In order to restore the Ten Mile aquatic eco-system to its natural state, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed a series of fish passages which would allow the fish to once again spawn in their natural habitat. John Rocchio Corporation was awarded the contract to construct fish passages at the Turner Reservoir and Hunts Mill Dam.

Work: The work at Turner Reservoir Dam consisted of the construction of cast-in-place Denil fish way structure. The new structure is supported by twenty pre-augured steel and concrete reinforced caissons. At Hunts Mill Dam, the project required the demolition and replacement of a historic brick mill outlet structure and formation of a cast-in-place fish passage, including tide gates and baffles.

Cost At Completion: $1,632,800