WOONASQUATUCKET RIVER

The 'Woonasquatucket River' (pronounced woon-AHS-kwa-tuk-it, Algonquian for "where the salt water ends") is a river in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It flows approximately 31 km (19 mi) and drains a watershed of 130 km² (50 sq. mi).^[1]
Together with the Blackstone River to the north, the Woonasquatucket was designated an American Heritage River in 1998. Both rivers played active roles in the industrial revolution and the history of Rhode Island in the 19th century. Evidence of this industrial history remains in the fact that there are 18 dams along the river's length.^[2]

Contents

Course

Crossings

Tributaries

See also

References

Course

The river begins in the swamps west of Primrose Pond in North Smithfield and runs southeast past Primrose Pond to 'Stillwater Reservoir'. Below the reservoir, the river continues southeast, providing water to numerous ponds, until joining the Moshassuck River in front of the One Citizens Plaza building in downtown Providence to form the Providence River. The lower part of the river, below Rising Sun Dam in Olneyville is tidal.
East of Interstate 95, the Woonasquatucket's original riverbed no longer exists and it has been diverted into a man-made channel underneath Providence Place Mall and through Waterplace Park. In Waterplace Park, the Woonasquatucket River is also used as part of Waterfire.

Crossings

Below is a list of all crossings over the Woonasquatucket River. The list starts at the headwaters and goes downstream.

★ North Smithfield

★
★ Greenville Road (RI 5/104)

★
★ Douglas Pike (RI 7)

★ Smithfield

★
★ Farnum Pike (RI 5/104)

★
★ Old Forge Road

★
★ Farnum Pike (RI 5/104)

★
★ George Washington Highway (RI 116)

★
★ Capron Road

★
★ Whipple Avenue

★
★ Farnum Pike (RI 104)

★
★ Esmond Street

★
★ Esmond Mill Drive

★ North Providence

★
★ Angell Avenue

★
★ Putnam Pike (U.S. 44)

★
★ Allendale Avenue

★ Johnston

★
★ Greenville Avenue

★ Providence

★
★ Glenbridge Avenue

★
★ U.S. 6 (Twice)

★
★ Manton Avenue

★
★ Delaine Street

★
★ Valley Street

★
★ Atwells Avenue

★
★ Eagle Street

★
★ Acorn Street

★
★ Dean Street

★
★ Bath Street

★
★ Interstate 95

★
★ Francis Street

★
★ Exchange Street

★
★ Steeple Street (U.S. 44 Eastbound)

Tributaries

In addition to many unnamed tributaries, the following brooks and rivers feed the Woonasquatucket:

★ Latham Brook

★ Stillwater River

★ Harris Brook

★ Hawkins Brook

★ Assapumpset Brook

See also

★ List of rivers in Rhode Island

★ Moshassuck River

★ Providence River

★ Stillwater River

References

★ Maps from the United States Geological Survey
1. Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council
2. Governor’s Task Force on Dam Safety and Maintenance – Final Report, January 2001