Point Judith

Abundant Fisheries & Gateway to Block Island

Point Judith Pond is the eastern-most salt pond in Washington County Rhode Island and is divided between the Towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown. It is the only true estuary of the six major salt ponds. It mixes the freshwater from the Saugatucket River flowing into the pond at the north end and the salty ocean water that the tide brings in from the southern end.

Point Judith Pond supports abundant fish and shellfish populations and consequently, is the home to both recreational and commercial shellfishing and aquaculture. It is one of the larger southern RI salt ponds and features the largest variety of uses. Surrounding development ranges from open areas to the intense commercial development of the port of Galilee (home to RI’s fishing fleet) and the Block Island ferry terminal.  Additionally, both the northern and southern parts of the ponds house a large number of marinas.

Point Judith is the only pond with islands large enough to support neighborhoods including Great Island and Harbour Island. The combination of the river flowing into the upper pond and restricted circulation through the narrows around Harbour Island make the upper basin susceptible to pollution. This is evidenced in the routinely high bacteria concentrations found there. The upper basin has been closed to shellfishing for years. SPC works with Harbour Island residents and the Town of Narragansett to improve water quality in the coves on either side of a causeway leading to the island as well as make that ingress/egress more resilient.