The Chipuxet River in South Kingstown is in crisis. The river is "stressed" in its streamflow.  This means that its low flows are getting lower and becoming more frequent. Research from URI has shown that water supply and irrigation demands are sufficient to dry up the Chipuxet River at times.

Audubon is continuing to monitor this situation while advocating that all Rhode Islanders adopt sound water conservation practices.

Chipuxet River Watershed

The Chipuxet River watershed comprises a drainage area of 36.9 square miles and is located within the Pawcatuck River Basin in Exeter, North Kingstown, and South Kingstown. The Chipuxet River flows approximately 13 miles, paralleling the Amtrak train line through Slocum, crossing Rt. 138 near Plains Road/ Rt. 110, passing through the Great Swamp, which is an officially designated National Natural Landmark, before entering Worden Pond in South Kingstown.The flow out of Worden Pond is named the Pawcatuck River. 

The Chipuxet River is fed by groundwater and is therefore considered a "gaining" stream, which means that under natural conditions streamflow is replenished from water seeping into the ground from precipitation. The water collects between the grains of sand and gravel deposited into the ancient Chipuxet River valley carved by glacial melt-water more than 10,000 years ago, and that source has kept the river flowing ever since.

Use of the Chipuxet Aquifer

The cause of "stress" for the Chipuxet is that in late summer more water is being pumped out of the Chipuxet Aquifer than normal rainfall and snow are able to replenish. Rain and snow collect as groundwater that is tapped by wells for drinking and irrigation.

The Chipuxet Aquifer is a source of drinking water for the University of Rhode Island (URI) estimated at 12,000 people as well as the Kingston Water District (KWD), with a few more than 1,000 accounts.The peak demands on the Chipuxet aquifer fluctuate with the primary users, its largest user URI peaking in fall and spring and another peak occurring in the summer due to increased water withdrawal by the Kingston Water District. KWD supplies the domestic, commercial, industrial, and agricultural water to local users. From 1960 to 2000, demand from KWD increased 940% while population increased 134% in the same period.  

As of 2001, the average annual withdrawal from the aquifer is increasing from 1.1 million gallons per day. Sewage from water supplied by URI and KWD goes to the Atlantic, constituting an out-of-basin transfer of water from the Chipuxet Aquifer amounting to 1.317 mgd, according to the numbers presented in the Water Allocation Program Advisory Committee Out-of-Basin Transfer Subcommittee's extensive 2004 report.

Outlook:

Multiple studies have found that the Chipuxet does in fact show signs of being stressed and has been dry for periods in August and early September.  The U. S. Geological Survey maintains a real-time flow gauge on the Chipuxet, and their data shows a trend towards lower low flows.   A trend toward lower precipitation and higher demands portends ecological disaster for the river and depletion of private wells in shallower deposits of the Chipuxet aquifer.
 

What you can do:

In addition to participating in municipal decision-making on projects that affect water consumption, you can practice efficient use of water in your home. Use pans of soapy and hot water for washing and rinsing dishes. Turn off faucet while brushing teeth or shaving. Measure rain and sprinkling for your lawn to total one inch per week. Convert to water efficient plumbing and appliances. Consider purchasing a rain barrel and use captured rain for watering purposes.