Kate Venturini Hardesty, Educator and Program Administrator at the URI Cooperative Extension will present ‘Landscape Care with Climate Change Resilience in Mind‘ on Sunday, January 26 at 1pm at the Maury Loontjens Library in Narragansett, RI.
Join us for the January 2025 On Pettaquamscutt Presentation:
Sunday, January 26 1:00pm Landscape Care with Climate Change Resilience in Mind Kate Venturini Hardesty
Kate Venturini Hardesty, Educator and Program Administrator at the URI Cooperative Extension, is sponsored by the Friends of Canonchet Farm.
On Pettaquamscutt talks are presented at the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library in Narragansett, 25 Pier Marketplace, Narragansett, starting at 1:00 p.m.
Participants can register here or at the calendar page of the library website to reserve a seat. Registration will open at the beginning of the month for each presentation.
Rebecca Kelly, Deputy Director and Curator at the South County Museum will present ‘Mending Matters, Historical Perspectives on Textiles and the Environment‘ on Sunday, February 23 at 1pm at the Maury Loontjens Library in Narragansett, RI.
February 23 Mending Matters, Historical Perspectives on Textiles and the Environment Rebecca Kelly
Rebecca Kelly is the Deputy Director and Curator at the South County Museum, which sponsors this talk.
On Pettaquamscutt talks are presented at the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library in Narragansett, 25 Pier Marketplace, Narragansett, starting at 1:00 p.m.
Participants can register here or at the calendar page of the library website to reserve a seat. Registration will open at the beginning of the month for each presentation.
Dr. Blaine Hymel, Veterinarian at the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island will present ‘Environmental Toxin Exposure in Rhode Island Wildlife, A Veterinary View‘ on Sunday, March 30 at 1pm at Maury Loontjens Library in Narragansett, RI.
March 30 Environmental Toxin Exposure in Rhode Island Wildlife, A Veterinary View Dr. Blaine Hymel
Blaine Hymel, Veterinarian at the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island, is a graduate of the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine. She is sponsored by NRPA.
On Pettaquamscutt talks are presented at the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library in Narragansett, 25 Pier Marketplace, Narragansett, starting at 1:00 p.m.
Participants can register here or at the calendar page of the library website to reserve a seat. Registration will open at the beginning of the month for each presentation.
Please join us for Navigating the Narrow Watercraft Safety Event
10am on Saturday April 5, 2025 at Mettatuxet Yacht Club, 36 South River Dr., Narragansett, RI 02882
Navigating the Narrow will provide information to boaters, kayakers, paddle boarders and all who simply love the Narrow River about safely and responsibly enjoying this amazing natural resource.
Doors open at 10 am with informational displays.
At 10:30 am, a panel of local experts will lead a discussion about safe boating and ways that boaters can protect the delicate local ecology.
Navigating the Narrow: A Guide to Boating on the Narrow River
Many residents and visitors to the Narrow River enjoy kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and boating. These are some of the best ways to enjoy the watershed. Narrow River Preservation Association (NRPA) works to preserve, protect, and restore the natural environment and quality of life for all communities within the Narrow River (Pettaquamscutt Estuary) and Watershed. This includes those who utilize the watershed in boats and personal and paddle watercraft.
NRPA Supports and Encourages Safe and Responsible Boating on the Narrow River!
The Narrow River is a beautifully unique waterway tidal estuary that flows from its headwaters in North Kingstown to the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the serene and calm environment, the dynamic nature of the waterway presents many risks to boaters. Wind direction, travel direction, and tide height need to be considered every time you go out on the water.
Navigating the Narrow River is under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and three local municipalities of Narragansett, North Kingstown, and South Kingstown. Each municipality has their own harbor master who is responsible for rule enforcement. Safe and responsible boating requires the proper attention and education of boaters.
No Wake Zone Map for Lower Narrow River. Source: 2016 Narragansett Harbor Plan. Click the map for a larger version.
Navigating the Narrow: Safe & Responsible Boating
Be Prepared — Plan for your trip!
Plan: Create a Float Plan (an overview of a boat excursion that can give authorities a head start in looking for a boater if he or she fails to reach his or her destination) and stick to it.
Boat: Perform a Safety Check and verify the boat is in good working order.
Weather: Watch for inclement weather and be aware of changing conditions.
Passengers: Verify your passengers know the proper safety procedures in the event of an emergency.
Life jackets are essential!
Always wear a life jacket and make sure it fits properly.
BY LAW kayaks, canoes and paddle boards require life jackets.
Children under 13 must always wear a life jacket on motorboats.
Know the River. Make sure you know where you are going and how you are getting there. The Narrow River changes season to season and with significant weather events.
Tides: High tide or low tide, time your trip accordingly. Be aware of low tide obstructions such as sandbars. Click this link for the Narrow River Tide Chart.
Know where the No Wake Zones are and obey speed restrictions.
When traveling under a bridge, check the direction of the current and adjust your speed so you can control your boat in the tight area.
When beaching your boat, always go against the current so you have steerage at low speed and always have a stern anchor to keep the boat aligned.
Follow the Boating Rules:
Be courteous to others on the water (people, waterfowl, and animals).
Power driven vessels ALWAYS give way to non-powered vessels (sail boats and human powered watercraft)
Don’t overload the boat with people or equipment.
Treat your fueling operations with care.
Practice proper boat propeller safety.
Check for harmful fumes.
Follow proper anchoring procedures (do not anchor in protected areas or in the navigable channel).
Follow proper docking procedures.
Follow proper lighting for night navigation.
Know your boat’s maximum passenger capacity.
Ensure your boat is properly maintained and serviced.
DO NOT DRINK AND BOAT. In Rhode Island, it’s illegal to operate or drive any watercraft while under the influences of drugs or alcohol.
RIDEM (Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management) and USCG (United Stated Coast Guard) websites have many resources to reference.
Exercise good judgment and use common sense on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I call if I witness a boating accident or other emergency on the river?
Call 911 for all life safety and significant emergencies. An RIDEM Rhode Island Boating Accident Report must be filled out by the owner/operator of any vessel that is involved in a boating accident–on the inland waters and the coastal waters contiguous to this state–that meets the following criteria:
Loss of life or disappearance from a vessel.
Injury to any person that requires medical treatment beyond ordinary first aid. If you go to the emergency room or call a rescue, it is beyond first aid.
Property damage in excess of $2,000 (combined damage to both vessels, if more than one vessel is involved.)
Complete loss of a vessel.
If more than one vessel is involved the owner/operator of all vessels must fill out and file a boating accident report.
Reportable accidents must be submitted within five (5) days after the incident on forms provided by the department. Accidents must be reported to the state authorities where the accident occurred.
What should I do if I witness a boater breaking the law?
People who spot boaters making a wake or otherwise breaking the law are encouraged to call the Municipal Harbormaster. If a boater is doing something particularly egregious, you are encouraged to photograph the boat (including identification numbers) and email the photo and a description of the offense to the Harbormaster:
What do I need to be aware of regarding preservation of the river?
NRPA has many ongoing water quality and watershed preservation programs. Boaters should be respectful of the natural habitats therein and do their best not to disturb them.
Photo courtesy of Margaret McGregor.
Studies on water quality and clarity found that boats did have a noticeable impact. The presence of vessels seemed to increase the growth of algae and kick up sediments, both of which obstruct sunlight and spoil the water.
Additionally, deposits left from boats can change the water’s chemistry and a decrease in water quality is bad for both wildlife and humans. A large amount of impairment to wildlife is also caused by smaller, less noticeable aspects of boats. Chemicals used to clean, protect, and run watercraft often leach into the water, severely impacting the environment and weakening or killing the wildlife. Aquatic plants and animals have specific requirements for light, temperature, pH level, etc. Toxins from detergents, paints, petroleum products, batteries, and metals have disastrous effects on wildlife’s ability to survive and thrive, including cancer, mutations, birth defects, and outright death.
NRPA suggests measures such as the following to help mitigate any negative impacts people or watercraft may have on the river and its inhabitants:
Observe No Wake Zones: proper speed control in No Wake Zones will help preserve the habitat in these areas by reducing the amount of erosion of the shoreline.
Maintain boat engines so they do not leak fuel into the river.
Safely dispense of fuel and oil to prevent any leakage into the river.
Use environmentally-friendly cleaners and rinse thoroughly away from the river, if possible.
What should I be aware of regarding the river’s flow, tides and dynamics?
The Narrow River is in constant motion. The daily tides affect the river’s flow, shoreline and salinity levels. They are influenced by lunar and seasonal fluctuations and weather events.
The Narrow River is not a navigable waterway. Its boating channels are not professionally maintained. Depths at low tide can be as low as one foot in the boating lanes, with sandbars surfacing above the water level.
Clearance under the Middle and Lacey/Bridgetown Bridges varies with the tides and weather conditions. The clearance can be as low as four feet.
High and low tides are caused by the moon. The moon’s gravitational pull generates something called the tidal force. The tidal force causes Earth—and its water—to bulge out on the side closest to the moon and the side farthest from the moon. These bulges of water are high tides.
Two high tides and two low tides happen every 24 hours and 50 minutes. Their time varies throughout the year. Click this link for the Narrow River Tide Chart.
The flow at the mouth of the river allows the ocean water to come into the river. The Narrow River has salinity well into the upper reaches above Lacey Bridge (Bridgetown Road). At dead low tide it looks like the river is blocked off from the ocean. The river has been blocked by sand at its mouth during extreme weather conditions. These events are temporary, and Mother Nature finds way to return the river to its normal conditions.
What are the boating certification requirements?
The following are Boating Certification Requirements:
All boat operators born after January 1, 1986.
All operators of personal watercraft (jet ski), regardless of age and regardless of residency
Out-of-State Residents operating a vessel (other than a Personal Watercraft-see above), must meet the requirements of their home state in order to operate in Rhode Island Waters. For questions, contact DEM/Environmental Police at (401) 222-3070.
What are the boating rules and are they different for different parts of the Narrow River?
The Narrow River is under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and three local municipalities (Narragansett, North Kingstown, and South Kingstown). Each municipality has their own harbor master. RIDEM and the USCG websites have many resources to reference.
The rules for boating are not different in different parts of the river, but each area has its own topography. Safe and responsible boating requires proper attention by boaters in all areas. The lakes are open deep areas with some shallow areas, the narrows are tight areas and mostly No Wake Zones, the beach area is more affected by the tide and has more varying sand bars, and the mouth of the river is difficult to navigate.
How can boaters and kayakers best interact?
Motorboats must to yield to paddle craft and maintain control of their boat at all times. Just because there is a local channel that boaters use due to the water depths, motorboats must still operate with due care around paddle craft regardless of where they are.
Paddle craft should be courteous by staying clear of the areas that are better suited to power boats whenever possible. Paddle craft should be respectful of motor boat channels, watch for moving boats, and minimize their time in the motor boating lanes. These channels are narrow and fast moving and motor boats do not have much room to maneuver within them, especially during low tide.
Click the map for a larger sized map.
What are No Wake Zones and where are they?
“No Wake” means operating a boat at the slowest speed necessary to maintain steerage and that reduces or eliminates waves that appear as white water behind the boat.
Current laws stipulate no wake under bridges, around mooring fields, near docks and near swimming areas, and, although the inlet to the river is not marked as a No Wake Zone, is a safe practice to observe there. While the motor boating channel cannot be better marked at this time, the speed limit must meet the above definition.
South Kingstown Ordinance 4-5.4 states the following for No Wake Zones on the Narrow River: “No vessel shall be operated in excess of five (5) miles per hour and/or create a wake within the area from Hahn Avenue to four hundred (400) feet north of Radial Drive, in the Narrow River.” If you witness someone making a wake in a No Wake Zone, contact the Municipal Harbormaster.
Wakes are not permitted near docks.
As for the speed limit outside of No Wake Zones, boaters need to be safe and responsible. R.I.G.L 46-22-9.5 Speeding regulates speed on RI waters as follows, unless local regulations are more restrictive: “(a) No person shall operate any motor-boat or vessel in any harbor or inlet or any pond or other confined body of water in this state in excess of forty-five (45) miles per hour during the hours from sunrise to sunset and twenty-five (25) miles per hour during periods of darkness or other periods of restricted visibility; provided, however, nothing herein shall prohibit the posting of lesser speed limits where deemed necessary by the appropriate state or local authority.”
Access to the River-There is no limit of the number of boats or paddle craft allowed on the river. Boaters and paddlers should always take care when navigating the river, especially when it is being heavily used.
Recreation users riding the tide such as large inflatables (inflatable ducks, swans, alligators, frogs, creating a human chain, without steerage/paddle power) should use extreme caution and must also follow safe navigation practices and be courteous of the boaters and paddle craft.
What are best practices for fueling a boat?
When fueling a boat, you should observe the same rules as when fueling a vehicle combined with a few additional precautions specific to the water:
No matter where you are refueling, always clear the area of anyone not directly involved with fueling the boat.
Put out all smoking materials and secure your boat to the dock.
Turn off engine(s) and electronics, and extinguish all open flames.
Fueling your boat with a portable container can take time, make sure your container is comfortable to carry, hold and balance.
Portable containers and Jerry Jugs can be spill prone so go slowly, pour deliberately and watch you container (especially the nozzle mechanism) for signs of wear.
Keep the nozzle in contact with the edge of the fill to prevent build-up of static electricity and sparking.
Don’t top off your tank. Know how much fuel your tank holds and fill it to about 90%. Fuel expands as the temperatures rises.
Clean up fuel spills immediately with an oil-only absorbent pad. Wipe down the bilge or any interior parts that may have come in contact with fuel.
Treat your fueling operations with care. Never use hands-free clips and avoid any distractions while fueling.
On the dock, put an absorbent pad under the container.
Consider using a funnel. A filtered funnel will help prevent contaminants from entering the fuel tank.
Ensure the nozzle stays in contact with the tank opening.
Always store portable fuel tanks out of direct sunlight and keep in a cool, dry place to minimize condensation.
Come explore what lives in Narrow River!
Photos by John McNamara
Join us Saturday, June 7, 2025
9-11am at Middlebridge Preserve, 95 Middlebridge Road, Narragansett, RI
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.
Online registration will be available a few weeks prior to the event.
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.
We will also host What Lives in the River on a Saturday in September 2025 from 9-11 at the same location (check back for details).
Annually in late June, Narrow River Preservation Association hosts a one mile open water swim in one of Rhode Island’s most scenic waterways.
2025 DETAILS:
When: Saturday, June 21, 2025, 9:00am (rain or shine)
Where: URI Boathouse – Flagg Rowing Center, 166 Walmsley Lane, North Kingstown, R.I.
Registration: Online or by mail. Online registration closes at 6pm the day before the swim. In person the morning of the swim will be available if space allows.
Entry Fee: Includes 2025 Turnaround Swim T-shirt. Entry fees are non-refundable.
Swim Sponsor: Includes swim registration, one year NRPA membership and name listed on the 2025 Turnaround Swim T-shirt.
Distance: One Mile (1/2 mile out and 1/2 mile back). Common start for wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions.
Check In: 7:45 to 8:40 a.m. No one will be admitted to the Turnaround Swim unless he or she has checked in and received a numbered swim cap by 8:40 a.m.
Maximum Time: Swimmers are given one hour to complete the swim.
Mandatory Safety Briefing: 8:55 a.m.
Safety: Because of the uncertainty of weather conditions such as fog or lightning, the lifeguards and event committee reserve the right to cancel the event to ensure the safety of the participants.
A WORD OF CAUTION! The Narrow River is home to Rhode island’s only substantial population of native oysters, but the edges of these wonderful oysters can be SHARP! We recommend protective footwear for the Turnaround Swim. Participation is at your own risk.
Curious about swimming in Narrow River? Check out this essay by swimmer and Narrow River enthusiast Veronica Berounsky!
Navigating the Narrow: A Guide to Boating on the Narrow River
Photo courtesy of Russ Godin.
Many residents and visitors to the Narrow River enjoy kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and boating. These are some of the best ways to enjoy the watershed. Narrow River Preservation Association (NRPA) works to preserve, protect, and restore the natural environment and quality of life for all communities within the Narrow River (Pettaquamscutt Estuary) and Watershed. This includes those who utilize the watershed in boats and personal and paddle watercraft.
Thanks to those who joined us for Navigating the Narrow Watercraft Safety Event on Saturday April 6, 2024 at Mettatuxet Yacht Club, 36 South River Dr., Narragansett, RI 02882.
Navigating the Narrow will provides information to boaters, kayakers, paddle boarders and all who simply love the Narrow River about safely and responsibly enjoying this amazing natural resource.
We provide informational displays and a panel of local experts to lead a discussion about safe boating and ways that boaters can protect the delicate local ecology. We hope you will join us at a future event.
Navigating the Narrows Video by Parker McGregor
This video addresses basic boating safety for the Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River. Many thanks to Parker McGregor for making this informative video for his senior project.
NRPA Supports and Encourages Safe and Responsible Boating on the Narrow River!
The Narrow River is a beautifully unique waterway tidal estuary that flows from its headwaters in North Kingstown to the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the serene and calm environment, the dynamic nature of the waterway presents many risks to boaters. Wind direction, travel direction, and tide height need to be considered every time you go out on the water.
Navigating the Narrow River is under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and three local municipalities of Narragansett, North Kingstown, and South Kingstown. Each municipality has their own harbor master who is responsible for rule enforcement. Safe and responsible boating requires the proper attention and education of boaters.
Navigating the Narrow: Safe & Responsible Boating
Be Prepared — Plan for your trip!
Plan: Create a Float Plan (an overview of a boat excursion that can give authorities a head start in looking for a boater if he or she fails to reach his or her destination) and stick to it.
Boat: Perform a Safety Check and verify the boat is in good working order.
Weather: Watch for inclement weather and be aware of changing conditions.
Passengers: Verify your passengers know the proper safety procedures in the event of an emergency.
Life jackets are essential!
Always wear a life jacket and make sure it fits properly.
BY LAW kayaks, canoes and paddle boards require life jackets.
Children under 13 must always wear a life jacket on motorboats.
Know the River. Make sure you know where you are going and how you are getting there. The Narrow River changes season to season and with significant weather events.
Tides: High tide or low tide, time your trip accordingly. Be aware of low tide obstructions such as sandbars. Click this link for the Narrow River Tide Chart.
Know where the No Wake Zones are and obey speed restrictions.
When traveling under a bridge, check the direction of the current and adjust your speed so you can control your boat in the tight area.
When beaching your boat, always go against the current so you have steerage at low speed and always have a stern anchor to keep the boat aligned.
Follow the Boating Rules:
Be courteous to others on the water (people, waterfowl, and animals).
Power driven vessels ALWAYS give way to non-powered vessels (sail boats and human powered watercraft)
Don’t overload the boat with people or equipment.
Treat your fueling operations with care.
Practice proper boat propeller safety.
Check for harmful fumes.
Follow proper anchoring procedures (do not anchor in protected areas or in the navigable channel).
Follow proper docking procedures.
Follow proper lighting for night navigation.
Know your boat’s maximum passenger capacity.
Ensure your boat is properly maintained and serviced.
DO NOT DRINK AND BOAT. In Rhode Island, it’s illegal to operate or drive any watercraft while under the influences of drugs or alcohol.
RIDEM (Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management) and USCG (United Stated Coast Guard) websites have many resources to reference.
Exercise good judgment and use common sense on the water.
No Wake Zone Map for Lower Narrow River. Source: 2016 Narragansett Harbor Plan. Click the map for a larger version.
Frequent Asked Questions
Who should I call if I witness a boating accident or other emergency on the river?
Call 911 for all life safety and significant emergencies. An RIDEM Rhode Island Boating Accident Report must be filled out by the owner/operator of any vessel that is involved in a boating accident–on the inland waters and the coastal waters contiguous to this state–that meets the following criteria:
Loss of life or disappearance from a vessel.
Injury to any person that requires medical treatment beyond ordinary first aid. If you go to the emergency room or call a rescue, it is beyond first aid.
Property damage in excess of $2,000 (combined damage to both vessels, if more than one vessel is involved.)
Complete loss of a vessel.
If more than one vessel is involved the owner/operator of all vessels must fill out and file a boating accident report.
Reportable accidents must be submitted within five (5) days after the incident on forms provided by the department. Accidents must be reported to the state authorities where the accident occurred.
What should I do if I witness a boater breaking the law?
People who spot boaters making a wake or otherwise breaking the law are encouraged to call the Municipal Harbormaster. If a boater is doing something particularly egregious, you are encouraged to photograph the boat (including identification numbers) and email the photo and a description of the offense to the Harbormaster:
What do I need to be aware of regarding preservation of the river?
NRPA has many ongoing water quality and watershed preservation programs. Boaters should be respectful of the natural habitats therein and do their best not to disturb them.
Photo courtesy of Margaret McGregor.
Studies on water quality and clarity found that boats did have a noticeable impact. The presence of vessels seemed to increase the growth of algae and kick up sediments, both of which obstruct sunlight and spoil the water.
Additionally, deposits left from boats can change the water’s chemistry and a decrease in water quality is bad for both wildlife and humans. A large amount of impairment to wildlife is also caused by smaller, less noticeable aspects of boats. Chemicals used to clean, protect, and run watercraft often leach into the water, severely impacting the environment and weakening or killing the wildlife. Aquatic plants and animals have specific requirements for light, temperature, pH level, etc. Toxins from detergents, paints, petroleum products, batteries, and metals have disastrous effects on wildlife’s ability to survive and thrive, including cancer, mutations, birth defects, and outright death.
NRPA suggests measures such as the following to help mitigate any negative impacts people or watercraft may have on the river and its inhabitants:
Observe No Wake Zones: proper speed control in No Wake Zones will help preserve the habitat in these areas by reducing the amount of erosion of the shoreline.
Maintain boat engines so they do not leak fuel into the river.
Safely dispense of fuel and oil to prevent any leakage into the river.
Use environmentally-friendly cleaners and rinse thoroughly away from the river, if possible.
What should I be aware of regarding the river’s flow, tides and dynamics?
The Narrow River is in constant motion. The daily tides affect the river’s flow, shoreline and salinity levels. They are influenced by lunar and seasonal fluctuations and weather events.
The Narrow River is not a navigable waterway. Its boating channels are not professionally maintained. Depths at low tide can be as low as one foot in the boating lanes, with sandbars surfacing above the water level.
Clearance under the Middle and Lacey/Bridgetown Bridges varies with the tides and weather conditions. The clearance can be as low as four feet.
High and low tides are caused by the moon. The moon’s gravitational pull generates something called the tidal force. The tidal force causes Earth—and its water—to bulge out on the side closest to the moon and the side farthest from the moon. These bulges of water are high tides.
Two high tides and two low tides happen every 24 hours and 50 minutes. Their time varies throughout the year. Click this link for the Narrow River Tide Chart.
The flow at the mouth of the river allows the ocean water to come into the river. The Narrow River has salinity well into the upper reaches above Lacey Bridge (Bridgetown Road). At dead low tide it looks like the river is blocked off from the ocean. The river has been blocked by sand at its mouth during extreme weather conditions. These events are temporary, and Mother Nature finds way to return the river to its normal conditions.
What are the boating certification requirements?
The following are Boating Certification Requirements:
All boat operators born after January 1, 1986.
All operators of personal watercraft (jet ski), regardless of age and regardless of residency
Out-of-State Residents operating a vessel (other than a Personal Watercraft-see above), must meet the requirements of their home state in order to operate in Rhode Island Waters. For questions, contact DEM/Environmental Police at (401) 222-3070.
What are the boating rules and are they different for different parts of the Narrow River?
The Narrow River is under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and three local municipalities (Narragansett, North Kingstown, and South Kingstown). Each municipality has their own harbor master. RIDEM and the USCG websites have many resources to reference.
The rules for boating are not different in different parts of the river, but each area has its own topography. Safe and responsible boating requires proper attention by boaters in all areas. The lakes are open deep areas with some shallow areas, the narrows are tight areas and mostly No Wake Zones, the beach area is more affected by the tide and has more varying sand bars, and the mouth of the river is difficult to navigate.
How can boaters and kayakers best interact?
Motorboats must to yield to paddle craft and maintain control of their boat at all times. Just because there is a local channel that boaters use due to the water depths, motorboats must still operate with due care around paddle craft regardless of where they are.
Paddle craft should be courteous by staying clear of the areas that are better suited to power boats whenever possible. Paddle craft should be respectful of motor boat channels, watch for moving boats, and minimize their time in the motor boating lanes. These channels are narrow and fast moving and motor boats do not have much room to maneuver within them, especially during low tide.
Click the map for a larger sized map.
What are No Wake Zones and where are they?
“No Wake” means operating a boat at the slowest speed necessary to maintain steerage and that reduces or eliminates waves that appear as white water behind the boat.
Current laws stipulate no wake under bridges, around mooring fields, near docks and near swimming areas, and, although the inlet to the river is not marked as a No Wake Zone, is a safe practice to observe there. While the motor boating channel cannot be better marked at this time, the speed limit must meet the above definition.
South Kingstown Ordinance 4-5.4 states the following for No Wake Zones on the Narrow River: “No vessel shall be operated in excess of five (5) miles per hour and/or create a wake within the area from Hahn Avenue to four hundred (400) feet north of Radial Drive, in the Narrow River.” If you witness someone making a wake in a No Wake Zone, contact the Municipal Harbormaster.
Wakes are not permitted near docks.
As for the speed limit outside of No Wake Zones, boaters need to be safe and responsible. R.I.G.L 46-22-9.5 Speeding regulates speed on RI waters as follows, unless local regulations are more restrictive: “(a) No person shall operate any motor-boat or vessel in any harbor or inlet or any pond or other confined body of water in this state in excess of forty-five (45) miles per hour during the hours from sunrise to sunset and twenty-five (25) miles per hour during periods of darkness or other periods of restricted visibility; provided, however, nothing herein shall prohibit the posting of lesser speed limits where deemed necessary by the appropriate state or local authority.”
Access to the River-There is no limit of the number of boats or paddle craft allowed on the river. Boaters and paddlers should always take care when navigating the river, especially when it is being heavily used.
Recreation users riding the tide such as large inflatables (inflatable ducks, swans, alligators, frogs, creating a human chain, without steerage/paddle power) should use extreme caution and must also follow safe navigation practices and be courteous of the boaters and paddle craft.
What are best practices for fueling a boat?
When fueling a boat, you should observe the same rules as when fueling a vehicle combined with a few additional precautions specific to the water:
No matter where you are refueling, always clear the area of anyone not directly involved with fueling the boat.
Put out all smoking materials and secure your boat to the dock.
Turn off engine(s) and electronics, and extinguish all open flames.
Fueling your boat with a portable container can take time, make sure your container is comfortable to carry, hold and balance.
Portable containers and Jerry Jugs can be spill prone so go slowly, pour deliberately and watch you container (especially the nozzle mechanism) for signs of wear.
Keep the nozzle in contact with the edge of the fill to prevent build-up of static electricity and sparking.
Don’t top off your tank. Know how much fuel your tank holds and fill it to about 90%. Fuel expands as the temperatures rises.
Clean up fuel spills immediately with an oil-only absorbent pad. Wipe down the bilge or any interior parts that may have come in contact with fuel.
Treat your fueling operations with care. Never use hands-free clips and avoid any distractions while fueling.
On the dock, put an absorbent pad under the container.
Consider using a funnel. A filtered funnel will help prevent contaminants from entering the fuel tank.
Ensure the nozzle stays in contact with the tank opening.
Always store portable fuel tanks out of direct sunlight and keep in a cool, dry place to minimize condensation.
Enjoy this drone video from October 2024 generously shared by Sam Morrissey.
April 8, 2024
Steve Carey, retired University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography professor, has very generously shared this incredible drone video of the mouth of Narrow River. Filmed April 8, 2024, it shows the new shape of the area.
(For best viewing, we recommend adjusting the settings on the videos to 1080 HD resolution.)
January 2024
On Thursday, January 11, Steve Carey, retired University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography professor, filmed the mouth of the river. There had been a significant storm the day before. Many thanks to Steve for sharing his videos.
(For best viewing, we recommend adjusting the settings on the videos to 1080 HD resolution.)
Steve shot this footage on Saturday, January 13 at about 1:30 pm, well past the morning high tide. The house at the mouth of the river had suffered even more damage from the previous night’s storm.
The videos below, as well as this photo from February 2021 show the same area.
Mouth of Narrow River February 2021. Photo by Steve Carey.
2022
Similar to what occurred February 1-2, 2021, the sand spit at the mouth of Narrow River was overwashed by waves during a strong Nor’easter on January 17, 2022. Once again, a significant amount of sediment from the beach face was transported into the river. In fact the overwash from this storm essentially plugged the channel which typically carries the majority of the flow during an outgoing tide, forcing water to exit the river along the north side of the large sand bar just inside the mouth (the “flood tide delta”).
The channel and sand spit are perpetually evolving in response to coastal storm events, waves, tides and currents, and sediment moving along Narragansett Town Beach. These are natural coastal processes. The tidal exchanges between the bay and the river continue and the spit may return to a similar (pre-storm) configuration over time, although it is possible that the northern channel could widen and become dominant. Time will tell.
Below are photos of the mouth of the river over time. Many thanks to our contributing photographers!
DON’T dump lawn clippings, leaves or trash into the river.
DO operate watercraft responsibly.
DO keep pet waste away from river and storm drains.
DON’T feed waterfowl.
DON’T put anything down the sink that you wouldn’t eat or drink.
DON’T dump anything down storm drains.
DO report suspected problems to RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) at (401) 222-1360.
Friends of Canonchet Farm has created this great guide to invasive plants in our area. Click the image to view or download the booklet.
This excellent guide provides specific information on ways to be sure your activities are safe and healthy for your nearby waterway! Click the image to download the free guide.
Click the image to download a PDF of this excellent guide!
In the last issue of Narrow River Notes, we provided an overview of the options being considered by the Town of Narragansett for dredging the mouth of the river, as well as important considerations to the NRPA Board of Directors and other stakeholders.
In an important development, on October 7th the outgoing Town Council passed a motion to approve Alternative 4 as the selected short term alternate. This alternative involves land-based mechanical dredging with dredged material to be placed in close proximity to the dredge site that is acceptable to regulatory agencies as determined during the permitting process (see graphic below). The motion is fully contingent on the availability of funding (estimated construction cost range $771,040 to $1,252,940).
The motion also directs the Town Manager to seek financing options for the project, continue to coordinate with Foth Engineering on the next steps for obtaining licensing permits, and engage with key stakeholders (including NRPA) to move forward with the project.
As background, a work session was held on August 5, 2024 with the Town Council and the town’s consultant Foth Engineering. Three hydraulic dredging options (Alternatives 1-3) with increasing dredge volumes and the sand being returned to Narragansett Beach, were presented. The cost estimates for the three options were substantial (click here for the full Town Council Work Section Packet for September 16, 2024).
Hydraulic dredging relies on specialized dredging barges and pumps to remove sand and redeposit it elsewhere using hydraulic forces. This dredging method is often far more costly than sand removal via traditional mechanical dredging with long-arm excavators working from land. The Town Council recognized that there is significant community interest on this topic and this initial work session provided an opportunity to continue discussions.
At a second work session held on September 16th, two additional options (Alternatives 4 and 5) involving land-based mechanical dredging were presented. Following the second Work Session, the Town participated in a meeting held by representatives of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The FWS identified conditions that would complicate the permitting process for Alternative 5, which also included dune restoration along the split. As a result, The Town Council felt the selection of the Alternative 4 will allow the project to advance to the permitting phase now so that construction could proceed in a timely manner pending available financing.
NRPA continues to track the project and provide technical guidance to decision makers on behalf of our membership.
Those who regularly visit the mouth of Narrow River know that the channels and sand spit are constantly reshaped in response to coastal storm events, beach erosion, tides and currents. These are natural coastal processes.
During the past two years, the combination of coastal storms and alongshore sediment transport from the town beach has dramatically increased the volume of sand within the flood tide delta (“sandbar”) just inside the mouth of the river. This has presented a challenge for boaters on the river, particularly following storm events, as the channels near the mouth reorganize and can be difficult to navigate.
It is important, however, to recognize that flood tide deltas (like the sandbar at the mouth) are naturally occurring deposits that form inside tidal inlets and are dynamic landforms that will continue to change as sediment is transported by storm surges, tidal currents and ocean waves.
This time lapse video compares aerial images of the mouth of Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River from April 2003 to April 2024. The red dot in the video indicates the location of the flagpole – a former boat outhaul post placed in the 1960’s by the Dunes Club caretaker.
This flagpole is a former boat outhaul post placed in the 1960’s by the Dunes Club caretaker.
Due to the difficult navigation of the mouth, Tony Columbo of the Mettatuxet Yacht club championed an effort to dredge the sand deposits to the Town of Narragansett. Correspondingly, the Town of Narragansett has hired an engineering firm to develop solutions which aim to restore safe recreational boating while maintaining and preserving critical habitats within the Narrow River. The RI Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) Narrow River Special Area Management Plan(SAMP) includes provisions that allow the river mouth to be dredged periodically. The dredged sand would be used to replenish the Narragansett Town Beach. Dredging is only allowed to support safe recreational uses of the river under the SAMP.
NRPA exists to preserve, protect, and restore the natural environment and the quality of life for all communities within the Narrow River; NRPA will be actively engaged in all capital projects proposed in the Narrow River watershed including dredging and dredging alternatives.
NRPA is designated by the RI Rivers Council as the “state-designated Watershed Council” for the Narrow River (Pettaquamscutt Estuary) Watershed. In accordance with General Laws of Rhode Island Section 42-28-8, NRPA has the authority to evaluate proposed actions so that any resulting concerns may be considered by the CRMC.
Issues to be evaluated by NRPA include:
Range of alternatives to meet project objectives
Construction methods (mechanical or hydraulic dredging, access, refueling, dewatering, haul roads, etc.)
Short-term consequences to shorebirds, fish, shellfish and other aquatic resources during dredging activities
Measures taken to avoid and minimize adverse impacts such as Time of Year restrictions to avoid winter flounder spawning or river herring migration
Possible changes to tidal circulation (e.g., improved tidal flushing, changes in current speeds, increased duration and frequency of flooding on upstream salt marshes)
Improvements to boater safety
Effects on other recreational uses
Options for reuse of removed sand beach nourishment dune or salt marsh restoration
Benefits to improved coastal resilience of Narragansett Beach
Physical and chemical compatibility of sediments for beneficial reuse
Initial construction and life cycle costs (anticipated life span/maintenance requirements)
We will update our membership with further information as the project planning advances.
Resources:
NRPA has maintained a library of relevant engineering studies from the last several decades that evaluate the impacts of dredging the river mouth or the beneficial re-use of the dredged sediment. These items are linked below for our membership and members of the public who wish to learn more. We will continue to update these materials as information becomes available.
In a 2009 unpublished draft report, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Water Management Section discussed results of a numerical modeling study to determine the relative impacts of incremental dredging alternatives at the mouth of Narrow River ranging from 28,000 cubic yards to 68,000 cubic yards. The modeling considered effects on tide range, current speeds, peak volume flows, and tidal prism/flushing time changes. In general, the modeling demonstrated an increased tide range and corresponding reduction in flushing times with greater dredge volumes.
In 2011, the town commissioned the Narragansett Town Beach Replenishment Feasibility. The goal of this study was to identify a potential beach replenishment solution for Narragansett Beach that provides protection for the upland infrastructure and creates a sustainable beach with a reasonable performance lifetime. The beach nourishment alternatives ranged from 50,000 cubic yards (a volume that could be sourced from the mouth of the River, based on the 2009 USACE study above) to 327,200 cubic yards.
In 2016, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), USACE, and CRMC recommended that a numerical modeling study be undertaken to determine what the impact of dredging at the mouth might be on the circulation, flushing, and general water quality in the river. A hydrodynamic model was used to evaluate a series of four hypothetical dredging scenarios, from -1 m Mean Sea Level (MSL) to -3 m MSL, which removed between 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and 3.5 m (11.5 ft) from the flood tidal delta at the mouth, or between 21,500 m3 (28,100 yds3) and 184,000 m3 (241,000 yds3). Like the 2009 study, this modeling effort found an increase in the tide range (reduced restriction to the flow) with increasing dredging depth. An example of the model results is presented below, which shows the model-predicted water levels upstream of Sprague Bridge (Boston Neck Road) over a 5-day period. The increase in the tide range was greater for the larger volume dredging scenarios and most noticeable at low tide. The tidal flushing time within the River was reduced from 3.8 days compared to the range of 3.5 to 2.3 days for the dredging scenarios.
Another important consideration with dredging at the mouth and thus increasing the tide range is the effect on Mean High Water (MWH) levels in the area of the USFWS salt marsh restoration project. This restoration project included both drainage improvements and the placement of thin layers of dredged material on marsh surfaces in the river to build resiliency against increasing levels of sea level rise. In response, Craig Swanson and Malcolm Spaulding (the authors of the 2016 model predictions) provided a comparisonof the duration of tidal inundation for the different dredge alternatives with respect to measured marsh control point elevations provided by the USFWS.
