Pawcatuck River From the source to the sea
This five-part series explores the Pawcatuck River — its history, recreational uses and tendency to flood — from its beginnings in South Kingstown, R.I., to its stretch along the border of Connecticut and Rhode Island, to its ultimate destination, Little Narragansett Bay.
Part 1: Big Plans for the Pawcatuck
To re-establish fish migrations to the sea, Worden Pond, where the Pawcatuck begins, is being stocked with herring and shad.
Part 2: Kenyon to Carolina — 3.5 miles of water and human history on the Pawcatuck River
Kenyon Industries is the last mill still using the river for its operations. Downstream, at the historic mill village of Shannock, a new fish ladder stands beside the Horseshoe Falls dam. Further downstream are the partially restored ruins of the Carolina Co. mill.
Part 3: Carolina to the state line — the green heart of the Pawcatuck
Establishing Wild and Scenic status for the river from the National Parks Service focuses here, home to canoes, kayaks and fishing holes.
Part 4: Flood-prone watershed is focus of nearly $1M project
Beyond Potter Hill dam, it’s an urban river shared by Connecticut and Rhode Island and two water treatment plants. Resiliency to flooding is the priority.
Part 5: The river's influence on the bay
Low oxygen and high bacteria levels plague the river on its way to Little Narragansett Bay. Shifting Sandy Point has been closing off the bay to tidal flushing.
1 |
Stories that may interest you

L+M staff launches COVID-19 vaccination site at Mitchell College
Residents 75 and older from around the state fill first appointments Monday.
Vaccine clinics come to other senior living communities in Connecticut
With the first dose finished at nursing homes, CVS moved on to assisted living facilities, and some independent living facilities have also had clinics.

Long lines for first weekly food distribution event in Norwich
The operation in a former Foxwoods employee parking lot off Route 2 ran smoothly as tens of thousands of pounds of food was distributed to those in need.
Members of two Groton schools test positive for COVID-19
Groton school officials reported Monday that they learned over the weekend that a member of Groton Middle School and a member of Mary Morrisson Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19.
READER COMMENTS