The Woonasquatucket River Fish Passage Restoration Project has completed the first of three fish ladders at the head of the Woonasquatucket River. This project calls for three fish ladders to be built at the first three dams on the Woonasquatucket River; Rising Sun Dam, Paragon Dam, and Atlantic Mills Dam.

A denil fish ladder and plunge pool was completed early this year at the Rising Sun Mills Dam and now allows upstream and downstream fish access to the reservoir. Right now the river breeds more shopping carts than fish. But studies show that the river still has river herring, blueback herring, alewife, and American shad - still trying to access its hatcheries upstream.

The Woonasquatucket River is part of a huge and significant watershed area that originates at the center of Rhode Island, an area of 50 square miles. The river takes about a 20 miles path from it start in North Smithfield and connects with the Moshassuck River in downtown Providence to form the Providence River.

To learn more visit:
The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council
The Rhode Island Rivers Council
Rhode Island Habitat Restoration