Class II-III Pawcatuck River, RI

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.

Cross Worden Pond and seek out the obscure river entrance within the swamp during high water levels in spring. A true wilderness adventure as you meander sinious, narrow and often obstructed river. This is the first section of the Pawcatuck River, and it passes through the open marshland of the Great Swamp Management Area, the largest swamp in New England.

 

For More Information Visit:

Wood-Pawcatuck Rivers Watershed - rivers.gov