October 2019
The Narrow River Preservation Association, in its mission to understand, preserve and protect the Narrow or Pettaquamscutt River watershed and estuary, with help and assistance from staff at the URI Department of Geosciences and the Environmental Data Center, has developed a watershed-based Geographic Information System (GIS).
GIS is a computer software system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data. It is a powerful tool that allows users to create data-filled maps, analyze spatial information and present the results for use in resource management, assessment and education.
Recently, NRPA was able to purchase a non-profit license for ESRI GIS software and with assistance, build a solid spatial database for Narrow River preservation. This computer software tool is based on more than forty datasets downloaded from the Rhode Island Geographic Information System (RIGIS) website and clipped to the Narrow River watershed boundaries. Using the GIS tool, maps and analyses will help the NRPA better understand and manage watershed resources, water quality and educate the public about this priceless natural area.
Current data layers include historical aerial photographs, topographic contours, roads, freshwater rivers and streams, ponds and lakes, ecological communities, conservation lands and no-wake areas. In one use addressing climate change, river zones, marshes and parcel maps can be overlaid with storm surge and sea level rise predictions to identify the most vulnerable areas and plan for marsh restoration and coastal retreat.
Using the 40+ datasets available for the watershed, NRPA is planning a Pettaquamscutt River Map Atlas for our website, for use in displays and educations efforts. The map that accompanies this article is a working draft of our first map on “River Zones and Ecological Communities”. This map utilizes two dozen data layers to highlight different habitat zones along the river, plant and marine communities and the mathematics of the estuary. It is a map designed for display and for field use and will be available in the near future.
