Quonochontaug Pond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quonochontaug Pond |
|
|---|---|
Quonochontaug Pond in August 2009
|
|
 Quonochontaug Pond
Location in Rhode Island
|
|
| Location | Washington County, Rhode Island |
| Coordinates | 41°20′30″N 71°43′18″W / 41.34167°N 71.72167°W |
| Type | lagoon |
Quonochontaug Pond, often called "Quonnie Pond" or just "Quonnie," is a special type of coastal lake known as a lagoon. It is located in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. This pond stretches across parts of two towns: Charlestown and Westerly. It is one of nine similar lagoons, often called "salt ponds," found along the southern coast of Rhode Island. Quonochontaug Pond is known for being the saltiest of these nine salt ponds.
Contents
What is Quonochontaug Pond Like?
Quonochontaug Pond is the deepest and also the most saline (salty) of the local salt ponds. It connects directly to the ocean through a narrow opening called a breachway. The US Army Corps of Engineers made this breachway stable with rock walls, called jetties, back in the 1950s.
How Sand Shapes the Pond
Just like other salt ponds, sand from the ocean side of the beach moves through this breachway. This sand then settles inside the pond, creating areas of shallow water called shoals. These shoals are always growing. However, a big part of the western beach that protects "Quonnie" remains untouched. It is still wild and undeveloped, even though it is privately owned land.
Where is Quonochontaug Pond Located?
The border between the towns of Westerly and Charlestown runs right through the middle of the pond. This means the pond is shared by both communities.
Water Quality and Development
In the past, the water in Quonochontaug Pond was very clean. This is because the pond is quite deep, and ocean tides help to flush out the water regularly. Also, not many buildings or homes have been built around it. "Quonnie" has the least amount of development compared to the other salt ponds. Most of the buildings are homes, and many are only used during certain seasons, like summer.
Wildlife in the Pond
Like all the salt ponds, Quonochontaug Pond is a very important place for young fish to grow up. It acts as a nursery for many different kinds of fish. You might find young winter flounder, striped bass, bluefish, and tautog here. Sometimes, there are also many bay scallops in this salt pond, though their numbers can change each year.
Changes Over Time
Recently, more people have wanted to build homes around the pond. This has increased the pressure to develop the land. Even though the area of land that drains into the pond is small, and much of it is wet swampy land with red maple trees, new building lots are being created.
The Weekapaug Inn is located on the western side of Quonochontaug Pond. Its restaurants offer views overlooking the lagoon.
