Mattatuxet River facts for kids

The Mattatuxet River is a small river in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It flows for about 3 kilometers (which is about 2 miles). You can find two dams along this river.

The River's Journey

The Mattatuxet River begins in a town called North Kingstown. It starts from a small pond that doesn't have a name, located near Post Road. This spot is close to where Route 138 and U.S. Route 1 meet.

From its starting point, the river flows north until it reaches Silver Spring Lake. After that, it turns and flows south, eventually reaching its end at Carr Pond. Once the river passes Carr Pond, it becomes a tidal river. This means its water level goes up and down with the ocean's tides. At this point, it changes its name and becomes part of the Pettaquamscutt River, also known as the Narrow River.

Roads and Bridges Over the River

Many roads and bridges cross over the Mattatuxet River. Here is a list of the main crossings, starting from where the river begins and moving downstream:

• In North Kingstown:
  • Tower Hill Road (which is also U.S. Route 1)
  • Rhode Island State Route 138

River's Water Sources

The Mattatuxet River doesn't have any large streams or rivers that are officially named as its "tributaries" (smaller streams that flow into a larger one). However, many smaller, unnamed streams do flow into it, helping to keep the river full of water.