Providence River – July 4, 2022

Heading out from Bold Point

I decided to lead a RICKA trip on the Providence River on July 4th. It seemed appropriate since one of the first insurrections of the Revolutionary War – the Gaspee Affair – was carried out by Providence patriots on the Providence River in 1772. Providence was also the first colony to declare independence on May 4, 1776, and Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution in 1790 after protections were added by the Bill of Rights.

The Providence River is formed at the convergence of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers in downtown Providence. It flows south through Providence for a mile to its convergence with the Seekonk River at Bold Point/India Point. It then opens up into Providence Harbor and the Green Jacket Shoal before continuing south for 8-miles to the narrows between Conimicut Point in Warwick and Nayatt Point in Barrington where it becomes Narraganset Bay.

Past the tug boats

We put-in a little after 9:00 a.m. at Bold Point in East Providence and headed out across Providence Harbor towards the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. The water was calm with just a slight hint of wind-blown waves. Rounding Fox Point we passed the tugboats before paddling under the I-way Bridge, through the hurricane barrier, and into downtown Providence.

Providence was established in 1636 by Puritan theologian Roger Williams who was fleeing religious persecution in Boston. It became a major trading center in the 18th century, a manufacturing center in the 19th century, and a financial center in the 20th century. This history can be seen today in the warehouses, mills and office buildings that line the river. We paddled under the new pedestrian walking bridge built on the piers of the old I-195 bridge and into downtown Providence.

Providence skyline

In the heart of Providence the river passes through Waterplace Park. Completed in 1994, Waterplace Park includes pedestrian bridges over the river that connect over a mile of cobblestone-paved walkways known as the Riverwalk. The park is home to the popular summertime Waterfire events.

We followed the path of Roger Willams up the Providence River to its headwaters at the confluence of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers. Roger Williams continued up the Moshassuck River and settled on its east bank on land that is now the Roger Williams National Memorial. The Moshassuck River arises near Lime Rock in Lincoln and flows generally south for 9-miles to Providence. The river became very important during the Industrial Revolution, powering numerous mills (including the Moffett Mill on Great Road) and becoming the lower section of the Blackstone Canal.

Up the Woonasquatucket River

We paddled up the Woonasquatucket River into the Cove at Waterplace Park. The Woonasquatucket River arises near Primrose Pond and Stump Pond in Smithfield and flows generally southeast for 16-miles to Providence. The tide was up, so we were able to paddle up about a mile to the US Rubber Lofts before turning around.

We paddled back down through the city and arrived back at Bold Point at around noon - plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the day.

In the Cove at Waterplace Park

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My Pictures

Bold Point from Rhode Island Blueways