Pettaquamscutt River facts for kids
The Pettaquamscutt River is also known as the Narrow River. It's a special kind of river in Rhode Island, USA. This river is connected to the ocean, so its water goes in and out with the tides. It flows for about 6.3 miles (10.1 kilometers). There are no dams blocking its flow, which is quite unique!
Journey of the Pettaquamscutt River
The Pettaquamscutt River starts in North Kingstown. It begins just below a place called Carr Pond Dam. This dam is important because it marks where the fresh water from the Mattatuxet River meets the salty water of the Pettaquamscutt.
From there, the river flows south. It forms the border between two towns: South Kingstown and Narragansett. The river then reaches a spot called Pettaquamscutt Cove. Finally, it flows out into the bigger Narragansett Bay.
People often call this river the "Narrow River." This nickname makes sense for two reasons. First, there's a long, narrow part of the river between Lacy Bridge and the Mettatuxett Yacht Club. Second, the very end of the river, where it meets Narragansett Bay, is also quite narrow and can be tricky to navigate.
The river can be thought of as having five different parts, moving from north to south:
- The Upper Pond: This is the northernmost section.
- The Lake: A wider, lake-like area.
- The Narrows: The long, thin section that gives the river its nickname.
- The Flats: A shallower, flatter area.
- The Mouth: Where the river finally opens into Narragansett Bay.
Bridges Over the River
Several bridges cross the Pettaquamscutt River, connecting the towns on either side. These crossings help people travel easily.
Here are the main bridges you'll find along the river:
- Lacy Bridge
- Middle Bridge
- Sprague Bridge
These bridges are located in different towns as the river flows south:
- In North Kingstown, you'll find the Gilbert Stuart Road crossing.
- In South Kingstown, there are crossings at Bridgetown Road and Middlebridge Road.
- In Narragansett, Boston Neck Road (which is also RI 1A) crosses the river.
River Branches
A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one. The Pettaquamscutt River doesn't have any officially named tributaries. However, many smaller, unnamed streams and brooks flow into it, adding to its water.
