| Providence River | |
|---|---|
 The Providence River andDowntown Providence in April 2016 | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Rhode Island |
| County | Providence |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | confluence ofWoonasquatucket andMoshassuck rivers |
| • coordinates | 41°49′36″N71°24′36″W / 41.8267°N 71.4100°W /41.8267; -71.4100 |
| Mouth | |
• location | Narragansett Bay |
• coordinates | 41°43′16″N71°20′53″W / 41.721°N 71.348°W /41.721; -71.348 |
| Length | 8 mi (13 km) |
TheProvidence River is atidal river in the U.S. state ofRhode Island. It flows approximately 8 miles (13 km). There are no dams along the river's length, although theFox Point Hurricane Barrier is located south of downtown to protect the city ofProvidence from damaging tidal floods.
The southern part of the river has beendredged at a cost of $65 million in federal and state funds to benefit nearby marinas and commercial shipping interests.[1]
The Dutch called the Providence River theNassau River. It was the northeastern limit of Dutch claims in the colonial era, owing toAdriaen Block's exploration of Narragansett Bay, from 1614 until theHartford Treaty of 1650. It can, therefore, be regarded as the original boundary between the EnglishNew England colonies and the Dutch colony ofNew Netherland.
The river is formed by the confluence of theWoonasquatucket andMoshassuck rivers in downtown Providence. One half mile downstream, it is joined from the east by theSeekonk River and continues south. The cities of Providence,Cranston, andWarwick lie to the west of the river, while the city ofEast Providence and the town ofBarrington lie to the east. At the narrows between Conimicut Point, in Warwick to the west and Nayatt Point in Barrington to the east, theConimicut Shoal Lighthouse marks the entrance to the river fromNarragansett Bay.
Since the late 1990s,[2] the Providence River has been known forgondola rides, which can be enjoyed by tourists and locals daily in season.[3] Providence's three gondolas and onesandolo are hand made in Italy[2]
Below is a list of all crossings over the Providence River. The list starts at the headwaters and goes downstream.
| Islands |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Major rivers | ||
| Cities & towns | ||
| Bridges | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
