DESCRIPTION 



8. LOCATION AND EXTENT 



The Narragansett Bay area includes about one-half of the 

 totpl area of Rhode Island, The bay and connecting tidal waters 

 form a deep indentation in the Rhode Islsnd coastline between 

 Point Judith on the west and Sal<:onnet Foint on the east, extending 

 three-fourths of the length of the state in a northerly direction 

 past Providence, the state capital (Plate 1). Mount Hope Bay, 

 which extends northeast from Narragansett Bay proper into Massa- 

 chusetts ten miles beyond the city of Fall River, and the Sakoimet 

 River are considered part of Narragansett Bay for piirposes of this 

 report. To the south and southeast the bay lies directly exposed 

 to the open ocean, making it vulnerable to the force of hurri- 

 cane surges sweeping up the Atlantic coast. The shoreline is 

 characteristically irregular and marked by manerous forelands, 

 shandy beaches and inlets, and bold, rocky shores. Woodland and 

 thick vegetation border the shore where it has not been developed 

 for residential or industrial use. 



The total area of the bay is about 176 square miles. Prom 

 Brenton Point to Newport to Providence, along the main axis of 

 the bay, the distance is about 26 miles. The width of the bay 

 averages four to five miles. Three large islands, Aquidneck, 

 Conanicut and Prudence Islands, - and about a half dozen smaller 

 islands lie within the bay. Conanicut and Prudence Islands divide 

 the main portion of the bay into two long and narrow parts known 

 as the East and V7est Passages j Aquidneck Island separates the 

 Salconnet River frran the East Passage, 



9, TRIBTJTARIES AND HARBORS 



The most important streams tributary to Narragansett Bay are 

 the Blackstone Riverj the Taunton River, with Fall River Harbor 

 at its mouthj and the Providence River, The Blackstone River, 

 which has its source in Worcester, Massachusetts, has a drainage 

 area of 5U0 square miles. Its tidal reach is known as the Seekonk 

 River. Portions of the Seekonk River and Providence River con- 

 stitute Providence Harbor, which with Fall River Harbor are the 

 two most ijaportant commercial ports in the area, Newport Harbor 

 and Lower Narragansett Bay are of major importance to Naval 

 vessels. 



