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Mission Statement
Hunt River Watershed Association's mission is to protect and preserve the Hunt River watershed, aquifer, and ecosystem by implementing a monitoring program and by educating the community on the importance of water quality and quantity issues.
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What is a watershed? It’s an area, which because of its topography, soil type, and drainage patterns acts as a collector of water that replenishes rivers and public water supplies. This land is the source of a river’s water. The image above shows the Hunt River and its watershed.
What’s up with the Hunt? While the overarching concerns are for water quantity and quality, many different factors contribute to these concerns. The River relies on groundwater in order to maintain its flow year-round. Groundwater wells and the river are connected! Increased water demand in 2005 stressed the river and almost stopped the water flow. The problem, however, is not simply a lack of water. The loss of soil filtration areas allows pollutants, from highway traffic and other sources, to enter the waterway without having undergone the natural cleaning process. This is only a small look at a complicated picture, but the community is beginning to take action.
Why is this so important? The river and its watershed are truly hidden gems of our state. The Hunt River is located along the north-west boundary of North Kingstown and has several access locations. It is a beautiful area for fishing, kayaking, photography, bird watching, nature walks, and other enjoyable activities. However, the Hunt’s watershed covers much more land than the river. The watershed incorporates most of East Greenwich and North Kingstown, making these communities critical to the health and well being of the overall watershed. Even if you have never noticed the river, you have undoubtedly had an impact on it.
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Contact us by email at: info@huntriver.org or by mail P.O. Box 824, N. Kingstown, RI 02852
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