- Woonasquatucket River
The Woonasquatucket River (pronounced woon-AHS-kwa-tuk-it,
Algonquian for "where the salt water ends") is ariver in the U.S. state ofRhode Island . It flows approximately 31 km (19 mi) and drains a watershed of 130 km² (50 sq. mi). [ [http://www.woonasquatucket.org Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council] ]Together with the
Blackstone River to the north, the Woonasquatucket was designated an American Heritage River in 1998. Both rivers played active roles in theindustrial revolution and the history ofRhode Island in the 19th century. Evidence of this industrial history remains in the fact that there are 18 dams along the river's length. [ [http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/compinsp/pdf/damrep01.pdf Governor’s Task Force on Dam Safety and Maintenance – Final Report, January 2001] ]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 going under
Providence Place mall and joining theMoshassuck River in front of theOne Citizens Plaza building in downtown Providence to form theProvidence River . The lower part of the river, below Rising Sun Dam in Olneyville istidal .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 ofWaterfire .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 (Greenville Avenue becomes Manton Avenue as it crosses the river)
*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 ee also
*
List of rivers in Rhode Island
*Moshassuck River
*Providence River
*Stillwater RiverReferences
*Maps from the
United States Geological Survey
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.