In Rhode Island, there runs the Woonasquatucket River, a 17-mile freshwater river that flows from headwaters in North Smithfield into Rhode Island’s capital city of Providence, where it joins the Moshassuck River to form the Providence River. The Providence River is an 8-mile-long tidal river that empties into Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Nationally, the Woonasquatucket River was designated a National Heritage River in 1998. Its significance dates to the river’s development during the early industrial revolution. At peak development, the river system was a continuous series of dams, built to power adjacent mill buildings. In this way, the Woonasquatucket and Blackstone Rivers were once two of the most intensively developed rivers in America.
In Rhode Island, the Woonasquatucket is a river system with a rich cultural history. Its early use as a travel route for Native Americans and later colonists predate the mill structures. As a travel route, three Native American tribes settled in northern RI would walk along the river to get to locations where people could congregate and trade goods. Early Native American culture would also have fished from the river and used its edges to settle along for protection.
In Providence, Woonasquatucket River is easily identified as a landmark; as it’s the river that flows underneath the Providence Place Mall. It’s also a part of the Waterfire lighting; delighting audiences of all ages. We enjoy this river in many ways: in fishing at Stillwater Pond, in scenic trails and hiking destinations, in birdwatching and photography, in kayaking, in the Woony Bike ride, in conservation events or outings and, of course, in Waterfire festivities.
Continue Reading...
|
|
