Ninigret Pond

Ninigret Pond
Seen in August 2009
Ninigret Pond is located in Rhode Island
Ninigret Pond
Ninigret Pond
LocationCharlestown, Washington County, Rhode Island
Coordinates41°22′45″N 71°38′43″W / 41.3792677°N 71.6453401°W / 41.3792677; -71.6453401
Typecoastal lagoon, saline
Primary inflowsPrecipitation, groundwater
Primary outflowsBlock Island Sound
Catchment area7,645.65 acres (30.9408 km2)
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length3.91 mi (6.29 km)
Max. width1.83 mi (2.95 km)
Surface area1,580.38 acres (6.3956 km2)
Average depth4.3 ft (1.3 m)
Surface elevation0 ft (0 m)
Islands8

Ninigret is a coastal lagoon in Charlestown, Rhode Island, in the United States, located at 41°22′45″N 71°38′43″W / 41.3792677°N 71.6453401°W / 41.3792677; -71.6453401.[1][2] It is the largest of the nine lagoons, or "salt ponds", in southern Rhode Island.[3][4] It is utilized for recreational activities, as well as oyster and quahog harvesting. Found along its shores are "extensive" archaeological remains.[1] Ninigret Pond, like others in the region, was "formed after the recession of the glaciers 12,000 years ago".[5] The pond is situated on low-lying ground, and as such, it is considered particularly vulnerable to storm surge flooding.[4] It is connected to Green Hill Pond via a small channel.[6]

The pond is located within the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. Both are named for Ninigret, a 17th-century sachem of the eastern Niantic aboriginal American tribe.

  1. ^ a b "Salt Ponds of Rhode Island" (PDF). Rhode Island Sea Grant. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2008. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  2. ^ Peter Lord (January 9, 2005). "Shifting sands". The Providence Journal. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
  3. ^ S.W. Nixon and B. A. Buckley (2007). "Nitrogen Inputs to Rhode Island Coastal Salt – Too Much of a Good Thing" (PDF). Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  4. ^ a b "Rhode Island's Salt Pond Region: A Special Area Management Plan" (PDF). Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  5. ^ "What is a Salt Pond?". Salt Ponds Coalition. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
  6. ^ Arthur Ganz. "Daytripper's Guide: Ninigret Pond". Rhode Island Sea Grant. Retrieved June 12, 2009.