Richmond's surface lakes and streams are resources for recreation, fishing, and the enjoyment of their aesthetic beauty. Much of the Richmond Pawcatuck is built up with residential and old mill and manufacturing operations, but there are numerous corridors which still house fisheries and wildlife habitat. A six and one-half mile stretch of the Pawcatuck, from the Wood River in Alton to a point where it meets the Usquepaugh in the Great Swamp is included in a national inventory identifying rivers for protection under the National Field and Scenic Rivers Act.

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RIGIS

The Wood River also provides many recreation opportunities for Richmond, especially trout fishing. Protection of these water resources is extremely importantant to protect these valuable wildlife habitats and recreational resources. Also, while Richmond does not draw any of its drinking water from these surface supplies, they still feed into the groundwater recharge areas and their contamination could affect drinking water quality.

Protecting Surface Water
The 1997 Comprehensive Plan focusing on protecting river corridors, as well as participation in the Wood-Pawcatuck Rivers Management Plan. The Plan also recommends a 300 foot buffer zone be left as open space if parcels along the Wood River are developed. Protecting open space and greenways are a key method of maintaing pristine surface water quality. To learn more about the Wood-Pawcatuck watershed and efforts for protection, click here.

To view a list or map or Rhode Island and Richmond's impaired waters (waters that do not meet quality standards), click here.