Little Narragansett Bay facts for kids
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Little Narragansett Bay is a beautiful water area. It connects to the big Atlantic Ocean. This bay is also where the Pawcatuck River flows into the sea. It sits right on the border between Rhode Island and Connecticut. A curved piece of land called Napatree Point helps protect the bay.
The popular resort village of Watch Hill, Rhode Island is located at the start of Napatree Point. The bay also has several islands. These include Sandy Point, Elihu Island, and Barn Island.
Islands and Their Story
Sandy Point used to be connected to Napatree Point. But a very strong storm, the Hurricane of 1938, separated them. Since that big storm, Sandy Point has slowly moved. It has shifted north and west over time. It also changed its direction.
Today, Sandy Point begins about a quarter-mile east of Stonington Borough. It then stretches for about one and a half miles to the east-southeast.
What Lives in the Bay?
The bay is home to many sea creatures. However, it has faced some challenges. A type of algae called Cladophora has grown a lot here. This algae can sometimes make a smell like rotten eggs.
This algae also harms the plants that naturally grow in the sea. When sea plants are hurt, it affects the fish and shellfish that live there. For example, the native quahog (a type of clam) can be impacted.
Fun Activities in the Bay
Little Narragansett Bay is a great place for sea kayaking. People love to paddle their kayaks here.
However, catching shellfish has been stopped in some parts of the bay since 1991. This was because of pollution problems. In 2016 and 2017, catching shellfish was banned in the entire bay.
