The city of Providence provides the staff to operate the Barrier from the Department of Public Works - Engineering Division. Secondary maintenance is also provided by the Department of Public Work at a cost of less than $50,000 annually. Throughout the year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England Division provides assistance, as well as mandatory semi-annual inspections.
What has been the impact? Since 1966, the Barrier has provided protection for several hundred million dollars of Downtown property in a 280 acre area. The watershed above the Fox Point Barrier is roughly rectangular in shape with a length of 12 miles and width of 6 miles with a total drainage area of 75.7 square miles. The Barrier relives pressures of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers which flow into the Providence River. The project has a cost-benefit ration of 2.21 to 1 based on the project acting as a single unit. In 1985, the Hurricane Barrier proved its worth. In September of 1985, Hurricane Gloria struck the area and downtown Providence, which would have been inundated by two feet of water, remained dry. During Hurricane Bob, the barrier protected the City from 4 feet of water.
