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§ RHODE ISLAND 



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C/) General description: A number of extensive, poorly drained depressions are 



~ — > filled with southern white cedar bogs and swamps (Great Swamp, Indian Cedar 

 Q Swamp, Newton Swamp, and around Ell Pond). Rhododendron maximum is 



O often abundant as an understory shrub. Other bogs are found in the Bowdish 



Reservoir and along Hunt River in East Greenwich (Potts Bog). Typical marsh 

 flood-plain vegetation occurs along certain of the rivers such as the Blackstone 

 (Lonsdale Marshes). The sluggish Wood River in the western portion of the 

 state is handsome canoe country with adjacent wetlands. 



Status of the wetlands: Encroachments may be severe adjacent to urban areas, 

 as for example on the Lonsdale Marshes north of Central Falls, along the Hunt 

 River between U.S. Naval Reservations, and on the west side of Chapman Pond 

 east of Westerly. Highway construction, filling for development, and city dumps 

 are involved. Removal of timber has also been a disturbance in the more remote 

 cedar swamps. 



Sources of data: The Division of Conservation and university biologists have 

 contributed most of the data. 



Recommendations: Great Swamp, now under state ownership, is the largest wet- 

 land in southern New England. Although some manipulation of water levels has 

 modified a portion of the area, most of it is relatively undisturbed. It should be 

 given high priority for landmark status. Newton Swamp, dominated by a white 

 cedar bog vegetation, represents another extensive tract. Although large por- 

 tions were burned over several decades ago, reestablishment of the cedar has 

 been excellent. The state is interested in acquiring this area when funds become 

 available. National recognition might help to protect this wetland, since a town 

 dump is currently established at the western edge of Chapman Pond. Indian 

 Cedar Swamp represents another large, state-owned boggy area, where land- 

 mark status is recommended. Ell Pond is surrounded by a fine floating bog and 

 an adjacent white cedar and rhododendron swamp. It is, as yet, almost 

 completely undisturbed except for removal of the large cedars years ago. It 

 should be given high priority if it can be permanently protected. The floating 

 bogs in the Bowdish Reservoir may be too small to be suitable as a landmark. 

 Potts Bog is reported to be a good area, but its preservation presents many 

 problems. Flood-plain marshes along the Blackstone River are significant for 

 their wildlife value, but encroachment, such as is occurring around the Lonsdale 

 Marshes, is slowly eliminating them. 



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