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Some things you need to know about the Narrow River Preservation
Association
Organization:
Narrow
River
Preservation Association. Address:
PO Box 8
Saunderstown,
RI
02874
Phone: 401.783.6277, Email:
nrpa@narrowriver.org
, President Richard Grant
History:
The
Narrow River (also known as the
Pettaquamscutt
River)
is just over 6 miles long and runs parallel to the West Passage
of Narragansett Bay in the southern portion of its watershed. Its
watershed lies within the towns of North Kingstown, Narragansett and
South Kingstown. The “river” is more appropriately described
as a composite of a tidal inlet and back bay, an estuary, and two
fjord-like ponds. The waterbody and the surrounding watershed are widely
utilized as a wildlife habitat and recreational resource. Three
perennial and seven intermittent streams discharge to
Narrow
River. Located within the
picturesque
Narrow
River on the Southern
Coast of Rhode Island, the John Chafee Wildlife Refuge at 317 acres is
comparatively small in size, but big in protecting the unique features
of this area. Land acquisition is a priority for this refuge, given the
rapid rate of development adjacent to the refuge, and the high demand
for land in the area
Projects:
Because of coliform bacteria, the Narrow
River
is currently closed to shellfishing and is on the Rhode Island List of
Impaired Waters. The Narrow River Preservation Association is working
with the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the US
Environmental Protection Agency to improve the water quality of the
Narrow
River.
Due to the highly permeable nature of the certain soils associated with
a large part of the developed area of the watershed, “onsite septic
systems in this soil complex need careful design and installation to
prevent pollution of groundwater” especially in marginal buildable
areas. With increased building pressures the rate and volume of surface
water runoff has, also, increased dramatically as soil erosion is
accelerated. NRPA has monitored water quality along the river for many
years and is working with state and local government to install storm
water treatment facilities that will help clean the river.
NRPA is looking
for volunteers to join its River Watch program. All new volunteers
receive both classroom and field training from the
University
of Rhode Island’s
Watershed Watch personnel. Manuals and all necessary monitoring
equipment are provided. In addition to monitoring, NRPA annually
sponsors a turnaround swim event, a 5-10k
run
and walk road race and a kayak touring paddle. Proceeds benefit their
programs and scholarship grants.
http://www.ririvers.org/Watersheds/NarrowRiverWatershed.htm
http://www.narrowriver.org/
Narrow River Turn around Swim |
Mouth of the Narrow River |
Submitted by Bill
Luther RICKA Conservation Chairman
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