SER-NE is excited to present our first field trip of 2025 showcasing an up-coming restoration project in southern New England. Located in the town of West Greenwich, Rhode Island, the Capwell Mill Pond dam is a significant hazard dam built over 100 years ago. The dam impounds the Carr River just upstream of its confluence with the Big River in the Big River Management Area. The dam is currently creating biological and water quality impacts in the mainstem and its tributaries, and more broadly, affecting community resilience. Specifically, this dam impedes the ability of thermally-restricted species (e.g., brook trout) to seek and successfully reach thermal refugia, which are critical to the long-term survival of the population in the upper Pawtuxet River watershed.

In response to these concerns, the Rhode Island Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Rhode Island Water Resources Board, and EA Engineering recently completed the first phase of a dam removal project at the Capwell Mill Pond dam. This work included field investigations, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, alternatives analysis, agency consultations, and development of preliminary engineering designs for the dam removal.

EA Senior Ecologist Alex Patterson will lead a tour of the Capwell Mill Pond dam site on Wednesday, May 7th from 10 am to noon. The tour will include a discussion the site’s history, impacts of the dam, and on-going work to improve water quality, enhance habitat for aquatic species, and improve community resilience through removal of the dam.

The meeting location for the site tour will be the gravel parking lot on Nooseneck Hill Road (RI-3) at Burnt Sawmill Road, immediately south of the RI-3/I-95 interchange (exit 18). From Providence, take I-95 south to exit 18 (RI-3). Turn left onto RI-3, the parking area will be 0.25 miles ahead on the left. From New London, take I-95 north to exit 18 (RI-3). Turn right onto RI-3, the parking area will be 0.1 miles ahead on the left.

The dam is located approximately 0.4 miles down a moderate incline from the parking area. Please wear comfortable shoes. Light rain will not cancel; however, in the event of more severe inclement weather, the site tour will be rescheduled. Note that ticks, poison ivy, and other common environmental hazards may be encountered.

Register here: Field Trip Sign-Up

Please contact Alex Patterson at apatterson@eaest.com with any questions.