R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-18-1: Right of owner to continue and improve dam and pond.

Whenever any person, either upon his or her own land or upon the land of another with his or her consent, shall have set up any water mill or dam for the purpose of forming a pond to supply water to any mill or mills upon the stream whereon the dam is located, the owner of the mill or dam may continue and improve the pond and keep up the dam thereof on his or her own land for his or her advantage without molestations.