Ill 



original proportions. If proper fishways were provided and 

 obstructions conscientiously removed, a closed season for a 

 number of years instituted, and stocking operations under- 

 taken, the fishery might approach a normal status. 



LEE'S RIVER. 



Lee's River is little more than an arm of Mount Hope Bay, 

 in which a few alewives are occasionally taken. Owing to 

 lack of spawning ponds the fishery never has been and never 

 will be of any importance. 



PALMER'S RIVER. 



Palmer's River rises in Rehoboth and flows in a southerly 

 direction through the town of Swansea, forming the Shad 

 Factory Reservoir, and across the Rhode Island line. The 

 stream, now used as a water supply, was formerly used for 

 power. The 8-foot dam at the Shad Factory, controlled by 

 the Warren and Bristol Water Works, is provided with a 

 satisfactory straight run fishway. 



Three fishing privileges were sold on Palmer's River by 

 Rehoboth, but in 1911 this town agreed not to sell them, 

 and the holder of the Swansea privileges agreed not to exercise 

 his right, so that there has been practically a closed season on 

 Palmer's River. In spite of this policy, though some ale- 

 wives are taken by the public, the closed season has not pro- 

 duced the expected results. Previous to 1911, with the decline 

 of the fishery, the total yield for these three privileges dropped 

 from $350 to $35 or $40. 



Shad were plentiful in Palmer's River until trap fishing 

 commenced in Rhode Island waters above Kelley's bridge. 

 Trap fishing in the lower part of Palmer's River began in the 

 late 70's and early 80's, and with the exception of one year, 

 1911, no shad except a few stragglers have been seen up the 

 river for thirty years. 



The Palmer's River fishery, which was once of considerable 

 importance, is a striking illustration of the effect of overfishing 

 as a result of lack of uniform regulation on the part of two 

 States. The fish were taken in Rhode Island every day before 



