Maschaug Pond

Maschaug Pond is a coastal lagoon in Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island, United States.[1] Located at 41°19′07″N 71°49′51″W, it is one of nine such lagoons (often referred to as "salt ponds") in southern Rhode Island.[2] A "small, brackish pond",[1] it is not permanently connected to the Block Island Sound, and is largely bordered by the Misquamicut Club golf course.[3] Nests of the piping plover, which has been federally designated as a threatened species, have been documented within the watershed.[4]

Maschaug Pond
seen from the Ocean View Highway
Maschaug Pond is located in Rhode Island
Maschaug Pond
Maschaug Pond
LocationWesterly, Washington County, Rhode Island
GroupSalt Ponds of Rhode Island
Coordinates41°19′07″N 71°49′51″W
Typecoastal lagoon, brackish
Primary inflowsprecipitation, groundwater
Catchment area392.57 acres (158.87 ha)
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area34.63 acres (14.01 ha)
Average depth6.89 ft (2.10 m)

Its watershed covers 392.57 acres (158.87 ha); 52.08 acres (21.08 ha) is occupied by water. Maschaug itself has a surface area of 34.63 acres (14.01 ha), while nearby Little Maschaug Pond is 11.69 acres (4.73 ha). The pond averages 6.89 ft (2.10 m) deep, and has a salinity level of approximately 7 parts per thousand, too low to sustain the growth of eelgrass.[2][5] The pond is non-tidal, except when breached by storms.[5] The water directly receives about 57,219,222 gallons of precipitation per year, though groundwater flow is unknown. No rivers or streams flow into the pond.[6] Maschaug Pond, like others in the region, was "formed after the recession of the glaciers 12,000 years ago".[7]

As a result of certain environmental conditions, including low elevation of surrounding land and dense residential and commercial development, Maschaug Pond is considered particularly susceptible to storm surge. It is projected that during a future hurricane, Winnapaug and Maschaug Ponds will likely be significantly changed.[4]

See also

References
  1. "Salt Ponds of Rhode Island" (PDF). Rhode Island Sea Grant. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  2. S.W. Nixon and B. A. Buckley (2007). "Nitrogen Inputs to Rhode Island Coastal Salt – Too Much of a Good Thing" (PDF). Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  3. Peter Lord (January 9, 2005). "Shifting sands". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  4. "Rhode Island's Salt Pond Region: A Special Area Management Plan" (PDF). Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  5. "Maschaug Pond General Features Data". Rhode Island South Shore Sea Grant. Archived from the original on May 17, 2006. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  6. "Maschaug Pond Freshwater Input Data". Rhode Island South Shore Sea Grant. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  7. "What is a Salt Pond?". Salt Ponds Coalition. Archived from the original on 2010-10-09. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
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