What Lives in the River

Saturdays, June 1 and September 21, 2024

Please click here to register for the June 1 event! (September signup will take place after the June event.)

9-11am at Middlebridge Preserve, 95 Middlebridge Road, Narragansett, RI

(Rain dates Sunday, June 2 and Sunday, September 22)

This popular family science and exploration event is held annually on a Saturday morning in June and a Saturday morning in September at 95 Middlebridge Road, Narragansett.

About What Lives in the River:

All ages are invited to join Narrow River Preservation Association for this hands-on exploration of fish, shellfish, crabs and other inhabitants of Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River. We will use nets large and small to catch river creatures and examine them in touch tanks and under microscopes. Experts and guide books will be on hand.

FREE and open to the public- FUN for all ages!  Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.  All young children and youth should be supervised closely at all times.

Participants are welcome to get into the water, please dress appropriately.  Because this is a natural environment, there are sharp objects in the water. Boots, sandals or shoes that can get wet are recommended.  The gathering area is a field with grass and dirt surfaces. Wheelchairs are welcome.

Clinging jellies have been found in Narrow River. Click here to learn more about clinging jellyfish.


Thanks to all who joined up in June 2023 for What Lives in the River.

Here is a list of what was discovered living in the Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River at our event!

Organisms visible to the unaided eye:

  • Quahog
  • Baby American eel
  • Horse Mussel
  • Glass shrimp
  • Sand shrimp
  • Hermit crabs
  • Green crab
  • Blue Crab
  • Stickleback
  • Sea cucumber
  • Ctenophore (comb jellyfish)
  • Oyster
  • Egg cases
  • Flounder
  • Mummichog
  • Silverside
  • Crepidula fornicate (boat shell)
  • Tunicked
  • Whelk
  • Periwinkle
  • Unidentified small yellow crab with black shield

Organisms visible with microscopes:

  • Zoo plankton
  • Larval oyster
  • Very small whitish worm
  • Very very small snail

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