Smith Hill in Providence in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Woonasquatucket River
(Woon ahs kwa tuck it = where the salt water ends)
Photographed By Bryan Simmons, July 2012
1. Woonasquatucket River Front of Marker
Inscription.
Woonasquatucket River. (Woon ahs kwa tuck it = where the salt water ends). The Woonasquatucket River is one of the fourteen federally designated American Heritage Rivers. From its headwaters in North Smithfield, it flows to Providence where it creates Waterplace Park, and then joins other rivers to form the upper part of Narragansett Bay.
The River played a powerful role in Rhode Island's progression from pioneer to national leader in the American Industrial Revolution. This rich industrial heritage left behind dams that prevent the passage of fish-such as herring, shad, and eel-that need to move between fresh and saltwater to spawn.
The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council's mission to reclaim this River as a natural, historic, and recreational resource includes returning these fish to the river through the restoration of fish passages.
Follow the river upstream and you may see great blue herons, painted turtles, kingfishers, red-tailed hawks and the first fish ladder at Rising Sun Mills.
The Woonasquatucket River is one of the fourteen federally designated American Heritage Rivers. From its headwaters in North Smithfield, it flows to Providence where it creates Waterplace Park, and then joins other rivers to form the upper part of Narragansett Bay.
The River played a powerful role in Rhode Island's progression from pioneer to national leader in the American Industrial Revolution. This rich industrial heritage left behind dams that prevent the passage of fish-such as herring, shad, and eel-that need to move between fresh and saltwater to spawn.
The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council's mission to reclaim this River as a natural, historic, and recreational resource includes returning these fish to the river through the restoration of fish passages.
Follow the river upstream and you may see great blue herons, painted turtles, kingfishers, red-tailed hawks and the first fish ladder at Rising Sun Mills.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 41° 49.754′ N, 71° 25.445′ W. Marker is in Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is in Smith Hill. Marker is on Promenade Street just west of Bath Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Providence RI 02909, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 621 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
