Protect Our lake for Future Generations
Join us in conserving our watershed and wildlife today!
About SLACK'S RESERVOIR ASSOCIATION
Our Mission
Welcome to the online home of the SLACK'S RESERVOIR ASSOCIATION. Our mission is to foster and preserve the natural beauty of the Slack's Reservoir watershed, to manage and protect its ecosystem, and to promote a strong sense of community among the people and wildlife who call it home.
LIFE ON THE LAKE
History of SLACK'S RESERVOIR
The history of Slack's Reservoir began during the Industrial Revolution. After Samuel Slater built his mill utilizing the water of the Blackstone River to power his mill, Daniel Lyman decided to build a mill in what is known as the Woonasquatucket River Valley in 1809. Five additional cotton mills were built between 1812 and 1813. Over the next several decades more mills began to spring up along the Woonasquatucket River putting a tremendous drain on the water level in the river. Waterpower was essential to running the large textile mills along the Woonasquatucket River. While the water was generally plentiful during the spring, fall, and winter, summer droughts sometimes left the mills without the natural resource necessary to keep the factories running. In order to keep the mills open during the dry months of the year, the mill owners formed a company to build reservoirs upstream to hold water in reserve so that dams could be opened when water became scarce to power their mills downstream.
The Tenth Census for the United States (1880) described the Woonasquatucket River as a small stream but essential to the mill owners for power. The census listed the various reservoirs controlled by the Woonasquatucket Reservoir Company in 1880. The Waterman Reservoir, just west of Slack's covering 318 acres when full, with a depth of 9 feet which all could be drawn off if necessary. The Waterman Reservoir was built some 50 years before the 1880 census around 1830. The "Slack" Reservoir, built in 1823, covers 153 acres and has a depth of about ten feet. The "Slack" Reservoir was controlled by the Bernon Manufacturing Company in 1880. The Sprague Reservoir was controlled by private parties at the time of the census and was said to cover 95 acres and be about 9-10 feet in depth. The Hawkins Reservoir, which was about 95 acres and on a tributary was also controlled by private parties. Finally, the Georgiaville Reservoir or "Pond of the Georgiaville Mills" covered 130 acres and consistently drawn down several feet. According to the census, there were 12 mills along the Woonasquatucket. The reservoirs could provide up to 3 months of waterpower for the mills.
The forming of a company to build reservoirs was an innovation in manufacturing. The General Assembly, in January, 1824, issued a charter to the Woonasquatucket River Co., among whom were Messrs. Zachariah Allen, Philip Allen, Samuel G. Arnold, Thomas Thompson, and Samuel Nightingale. The object of this corporation was the construction of reservoirs along the line of the above-mentioned river, and its several branches, in which should be collected the water from the spring rains, to be held as a supply to aid the running of the factories during the dry season. This was the first charter granted in Rhode Island to a company for this express purpose. The gentlemen comprising this company united their capital, and commenced operations at or near the village of Greenville, and constructed what is known as Slack Reservoir.
This is probably the first work of the kind ever completed by a corporation chartered for this purpose. In 1827, the Sprague lower reservoir was completed. The Waterman Reservoir was constructed in 1838, and, still later, or in 1853, the Stillwater Reservoir was built. These reservoirs cover an average area of five hundred and sixty-six acres. The following table will be of interest, as showing the date of construction, average area covered, average depth, and the number of days each of these water repositories was able to power the mills.
NAME DATE BUILT ACRES AVG. DEPTH DAYS SUPPLIED
SLACK'S 1822 153 10 22
SPRAGUE LOWER 1827 70 7 7
SPRAGUE UPPER 1836 25 13 4
WATERMAN 1838 318 9 4
STILLWATER 1853
Two early Greenville residents whose families joined through marriage provided the names for two of the Woonasquatucket River Companies Reservoirs. In the early 1700s Mr. Waterman built a grist mill and owned a large tract of land in Greenville. When Mr. Waterman died, his daughter Mercy inherited the property. Mercy was married to Joseph Slack. Mercy died when she was 83 years old and the property passed some years later to Mr. Welcome Aldrich.
Today, Slack Reservoir is owned and operated by the Slack's Reservoir Association, a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation and conservation of this beautiful watershed. Perhaps the biggest challenge overcome by this organization was the complete restoration and rebuilding of the Slack Reservoir Dam, which, after over 170 years of service, had deteriorated to the point of being unsafe. Rather than see the dam fall apart, threatening the life and vitality of the reservoir, the Association banded together, raising well over a half-million dollars, and putting in countless hours of work to make the dam stable and safe for the generations to come.
BOATING RULES
Rules and Regulations Governing the Use of Slack Reservoir
SECTION I - PREAMBLE:
The following rules and regulations govern the use of Slack Reservoir. These rules and regulations were adopted by the Slack Reservoir Association Board of Trustees in May 2001, and updated in October 2012; they are in effect for the purposes of maintaining a high standard of safety, protecting the environmental quality of the reservoir, and for respecting the rights of property owners and residents abutting Slack Reservoir. These rules and regulations supercede all previous versions.
SECTION II – DEFINITIONS:
PROPERTY OWNER: Any person(s) owning property that abuts Slack Reservoir
RESIDENT: Any person(s) residing on property that abuts Slack Reservoir
WATERS: All waters contained in the Slack Reservoir Impoundment
RESERVOIR: All land and water owned by the Slack's Reservoir Association
VESSEL: Every description of watercraft
MOTORBOAT: Any vessel with a motor, powered by gasoline or any other fuel.
WATER SKIING: Towing a person(s) behind a vessel on a device specifically designed for that purpose. This includes, but is not limited to, water skis, knee boards, wake boards and tubes.
SECTION III – GENERAL:
Property owners and residents are responsible for the proper use of the reservoir including the actions and safety of their guests
Any person(s) using the reservoir for any purpose; or any person(s) owning, maintaining, or using a boat, vessel or other vehicle on the reservoir; or maintaining a dock, float or other structure on the reservoir; expressly and affirmatively waives any claim which they may have against the Slacks Reservoir Association arising out of such use.
Any person(s), organization, or entity using the reservoir shall be deemed to have accepted these rules and regulations and to have assented to them as being binding upon such person(s), organization or entity.
Trespassing on the property (including but not limited to docks, swim platforms and boats) of property owners or residents of the reservoir is prohibited.
No person(s) shall discharge or permit the discharge of any sewage, wastewater, gray water, fertilizer, soap, nitrates, or any other EPA listed hazardous or controlled substance into the reservoir. No property owner shall permit or allow the same to be done from their property.
All activities on the reservoir from 10:00pm to 8:00am shall maintain a reduced noise level to minimize disruption to residents abutting the reservoir.
Any item, structure, float or other object that is determined to impact the insurability of the reservoir is not allowed on the reservoir.
Any recreational use of the reservoir, which is not identified or addressed in these rules and regulations, is subject to the discretion and approval of the Slacks Reservoir Association Board of Directors.
SECTION IV – RACING:
Racing of any motorized vessel or motorized vehicle on the reservoir is strictly prohibited.
SECTION V – SWIMMING:
Any person(s) scuba diving, skin diving, or snorkeling in an area where motorboats are operated shall:
Place a diver’s warning flag on a buoy at the place of his / her submergence (OR)
Fly a diver’s warning flag upon a boat from which he / she has entered the water, while maintaining a distance equal to or less than 50 feet from the point of entry.
Distance swimming of the reservoir shall be undertaken ONLY if properly controlled with a boat escort under the supervision of an adult.
Swimming devices, floats, inner tubes and other devices intended for the use in a swimming pool are to be used only in and around swimming areas such as beaches and docks and NEVER in the open areas or the center of the reservoir.
SECTION VI – BOATS AND OTHER CONVEYANCES:
These rules and regulations are in addition to local ordinances and the State of Rhode Island Boating Safety Regulations.
Use of any vessel or vehicle on the reservoir is restricted to active members of the Slacks Reservoir Association and their guest(s). Any motorized vessel or vehicle, or a vessel of a size that requires a trailer for launching and recovery used on the reservoir shall be owned by the property owner or resident.
All vessels shall be limited in length. Pontoon Boats: Maximum length allowed 25 feet. All other hulls, powered by motor or sail: Maximum length allowed 20 feet.
Any person(s) maintaining or using a vessel or other vehicle on the reservoir must maintain liability insurance coverage on that vessel or vehicle.
All vessels used on the reservoir shall have a current “Slacks Reservoir Boat Sticker” permanently affixed to the vessel.
All vessels shall carry a sufficient number of US Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFD) to accommodate the number of persons occupying the vessel. RI State Law requires children 12 years old and younger to wear a PFD at all times.
All motorboats and motorized vehicles used on the reservoir shall have approved, original equipment (or equivalent), mufflers and exhaust systems. Exhaust systems of all motorboats shall terminate below the waterline.
All vessels and vehicles used on the reservoir shall be safe for their intended use per the manufacturer’s design. All vessels and vehicles shall be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner and kept under control at all times. Docks and swim platforms shall be inspected for safety by the owner and kept in the immediate area of the owner’s property.
No person shall operate any vessel, vehicle, or any water skis, surfboard, or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person(s).
No person shall operate a motorboat or motorized vehicle at a speed in excess of thirty five (35) miles per hour and shall slow to a speed not exceeding ten (10) miles per hour when passing other non-motorized vessels.
Motorboat and motorized vehicle speed is limited to no more than ten (10) miles per hour when operating within seventy five (75) feet of the shore, docks, swim platforms, swimmers or divers.
Water skiing closer than seventy five (75) feet from the shore, docks, swim platforms, swimmers or divers is prohibited, except when starting and finishing.
Any vessel engaged in water skiing shall have a “spotter” in accordance with state regulations.
Any vessel engaged in waterskiing shall maintain a counter-clockwise course of travel.
Water skiing is allowed only from 8:00AM to one half hour before sunset.
No motorboat or motorized vehicle shall exceed the speed of ten (10) miles per hour from one half hour before sunset to 8:00AM.
Every motorboat which is underway from sunset to sunrise shall display a bright white light aft and a combined lantern in the fore part of the vessel showing green to starboard and red to port. All other vessels shall have ready at hand a lighted white lantern to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent a collision (per RI State regulations).
Operators of all vessels and vehicles on the reservoir shall obey lawful orders given to them by any State, Local Official or member of the Slacks Reservoir Association Board of Directors in the enforcement of and by the provisions of these rules and regulations. Operators of all vessels and vehicles shall immediately comply with said orders.
Aircraft and all other types of flying devices, which are capable of carrying personnel, are prohibited from use on the reservoir whether towed or self propelled.
SECTION VII – VIOLATIONS:
Any person(s) who violates any of the provisions of these Rules and Regulations will be subject to penalties as prescribed by local ordinances and State law, as well as penalties imposed by the Slack Reservoir Association, up to and including loss of use of the reservoir.
MEMBERSHIP DUES / BOAT STICKERS
NOTE: a 3% Convenience Fee is applied to online payments.
DONATIONS
SUPPORT SLACK'S RESERVOIR ASSOCIATION TODAY
Your generous donations help us maintain the reservoir and support local wildlife. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference in preserving our watershed. Join us in making a positive impact!
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST / ASK A QUESTION
Welcome!
Thanks for visiting slacksreservoir.com! Slack's is a private lake, owned and maintained by the Slack's Reservoir Association. Membership and boating privileges are limited to lakefront homeowners-in-good-standing. If you are unsure if you are eligible for membership, send us an email - we'll be happy to check your address against our database and respond to your inquiry promptly.
This website uses cookies.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.