The mission of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council is to encourage, support and promote the restoration and preservation of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed as an environmental, recreational, cultural, and economic asset of the State of Rhode Island.
In 1998, hundreds of watershed residents joined in the successful effort to have the Woonasquatucket River designated as one of fourteen American Heritage Rivers. This important federal designation honors the historic, cultural, economic ... view more »
The mission of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council is to encourage, support and promote the restoration and preservation of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed as an environmental, recreational, cultural, and economic asset of the State of Rhode Island.
In 1998, hundreds of watershed residents joined in the successful effort to have the Woonasquatucket River designated as one of fourteen American Heritage Rivers. This important federal designation honors the historic, cultural, economic and environmental significance of this Rhode Island treasure. The 18-mile-long Woonasquatucket River flows through 6 cities and towns in Rhode Island including Glocester, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Johnston, North Providence and Providence, where it flows into the Providence River and out into Narragansett Bay. Since the Woonasquatucket River was designated an American Heritage River many groups have taken an interest in revitalizing the river and the watershed that it runs through.
The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council formed shortly after the American Heritage River designation. The group, organized by staff of the Woonasquatucket River Greenway Project, is composed of residents, representatives of local and state government, and local non-profits and works to improve the environmental, recreational and economic assets of the Woonasquatucket watershed. The Council works with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) and other state and federal agencies to design and implement projects in the watershed. The watershed has been chosen as a pilot for the RI DEM’s Watershed Approach. The Woonasquatucket River Greenway Project is now a program of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council.
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