Breakheart pond DAM is located on breakheart brook in the town of exeter rhode island

Rhode island department of environmental management ridem has been monitoring breakheart brook and its associated impoundment breakheart pond for over 20 years. The lower reach of breakheart brook including breakheart pond are entirely within the arcadia wildlife management area WMA. Breakheart brook is a tributary of the flat river which is a primary tributary of the wood river. The DAM consists of a concrete spillway derelict fishway earthen embankments and concrete abutments. Data show that the impoundment significantly raises water temperatures in the brook therefore during summer months downstream of the DAM becomes mostly unsuitable habitat for coldwater obligate species such as eastern brook trout. Brook trout are found year round above the pond and only for portions of the year below the pond. Ridem has documented that brook trout inhabit the stream below the pond but are not found in this reach during summer months when water temperatures are high. Removal of breakheart pond DAM would reconnect approximately 4.52 miles of stream and reduce water temperatures in the brook and adjoining watercourses. The project will also connect over 45 acres of high value wetlands and riparian habitat when the DAM is removed. This project is one of the highest priority coldwater stream enhancement projects in the state of rhode island and is a priority for ridem. Fish populations in the upper wood river watershed designated as a wild and scenic river will greatly benefit from connectivity improvement in breakheart brook enhancing one of rhode islands best strongholds of wild brook trout. This is anticipated to be a full DAM removal and channel restoration with a project timeline to be completed by 2025.