Class II-III Pawcatuck River, CT/RI

Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Wild and Scenic River (Carolina Back Road Bridge in Richmond and Charlestown, Rhode Island to Confluence with Shunock River in Stonington, Connecticut)

The Pawcatuck River and its associated tributaries run through a rural, wooded landscape amongst a series of towns that grew up on the banks of the watercourses, historically as mill villages. Vestiges of the textile and fabric dyeing industry can still be found on the banks of the rivers.

The watershed is the most rural, least developed in Rhode Island, with approximately 87 percent of the land undeveloped or in agriculture and approximately 75 percent forested. The estuary of the Pawcatuck River winds its way through the more highly developed communities of Pawcatuck, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island. Development pressure is high in this region as is typical in the states along the Atlantic coastline.

River runs wide, deep and beautiful. Meanders through open marsh, forests and dams. Wood River enters from river right, doubling the size of the river.

 

For More Information Visit:

Wood-Pawcatuck Rivers Watershed - rivers.gov

Section Details

Trip Length One Night, 21.0 Miles
Fishing Yes
Camping Yes
Manager National Park Service, Region 1
Wild & Scenic Yes
Water Trail No
Partner Information https://wpwa.org/paddling-maps/
https://www.rivers.gov/river/wood-pawcatuck