Wood-Pawcatuck Rivers Watershed

The abundant wildlife and fish in the region attracted Native American tribes to the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed, such as the Narragansetts and Pequots. Prior to the arrival of European colonists, there were about 7,000 Native Americans living in southern Rhode Island. Many current names in the watershed are Native American in origin.

The colonization of southern Rhode Island began with the arrival of Roger Williams in Wickford in 1637. By the mid 18th century these large plantations extended across southern Rhode Island and resulted in an aristocratic plantation culture. Rhode Island was an important part of commerce within the entire Atlantic community. Shipbuilding began in 1681 in Westerly and continued for 200 years. 

At the end of the 18th century, political power shifted to the more mercantilist cities, such as Newport, Bristol, and Providence. The many rivers and streams in the watershed were dammed and used to power over 30 mills. Buildings, dams, and other remnants of these historical sites are present on every river in the watershed. The Wood, Pawcatuck, Beaver, Shunock, and Green Fall-Ashaway Rivers contain many fine examples of early to late industrial mill buildings and structures. There are many other dams and historic mill artifacts throughout the watershed on tributaries to all seven rivers.

The Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed is one of the least developed watershed ecosystems in the New York to Boston corridor. Due to the lack of development and large forested tracts, the watershed remains one of the darkest areas in the region. The watershed also contains considerable aquatic habitat suitable to the maintenance of diadromous fish and other native fishes. It has been the site of several ongoing fish passage restoration programs.

The key geological feature of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed is the formation of the basin. About 20,000 years ago, retreating glaciers left a recessional moraine, now known as the Charlestown Moraine. This 150-foot-high land mass effectively blocked the southerly flow of historic rivers. Instead, the rivers collected into the Pawcatuck River which flowed west, and even north at times, before forming an outlet into Little Narragansett Bay between present-day Westerly, Rhode Island, and Stonington, Connecticut. In addition, the moraine created extensive wetlands to the north, including the Great Swamp, Cedar Swamp, and Chapman Swamp.

Aquatic resources in the watershed are highly prized for recreational activities, particularly paddling, fishing, and birding. Thirty-four miles of the Pawcatuck River and twenty-four miles of the Wood River present exceptionally scenic canoeing and kayaking. The Wood River and its tributaries are nationally known as outstanding trout fishing streams. The lower Pawcatuck provides safe harbor for several marinas, with access to Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The thousands of acres owned by state and non-government agencies and local land trusts along the rivers offer hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, and birding. State management areas supply ample hunting and fishing for local residents.

The Pawcatuck River’s scenic beauty is encountered along the entire water byway. The river flows through a rural wooded landscape. This watershed region is one of the few remaining pristine areas between New York and Boston. The water is clean and clear with many transparent views of the riverbed. Alluring marshes and swamps are viewed along the river course. Seasonal changes bring a variety of auditory and visual attractions to the river, along with captivating sunrises and sunsets for the river tourist. A mature canopy of trees line the river’s forested banks.