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Assessment Data for the State of Rhode Island Year 2002

National Assessment Database
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Assessing Water Quality (Questions and Answers)

National Water Quality Inventory Report to Congress, 2002 Reporting Cycle

The 2002 National Assessment
Database (Fact Sheet)

Previous National Water Quality Reports

EnviroMapper for Water

Impaired Water Information
2002 303(d) List Report

Other Water Assessment Information
The most current report available for this state is 2006.
Data are also available for these years: 2004


State of Rhode Island websites:

State 305(b) Water Quality Assessment Report(s)
  State Water Quality Program

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Total Assessed Waters for the State of Rhode Island

 Description of this table

Size Of Water
Rivers, Streams, Creeks (Miles) Lakes, Ponds, Reservoir (Acres) Bays, Estuaries (Square Miles) Coastal Shorelines (Miles) Oceans, Near Coastal Waters (Square Miles) Wetlands (Acres) Great Lakes Shoreline (Miles) Great Lakes Open Water (Square Miles)
Total Assessed Waters 531.60 16,580.51 156.23 78.62 .00 .00 .00 .00
Estimated Total Water Size in RI 1,383.00 21,796.00 156.23 79.00 Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable
Percent of Waters Assessed 38.44 76.07 100.00 99.52 Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable

Assessed Waters of Rhode Island by Watershed

 Description of this table
Watershed Size of Water
Rivers, Streams, Creeks (Miles) Lakes, Ponds, Reservoir (Acres) Bays, Estuaries (Square Miles) Coastal Shorelines (Miles) Oceans, Near Coastal Waters (Square Miles) Wetlands (Acres) Great Lakes Shoreline (Miles) Great Lakes Open Water (Square Miles)
0 .00 .00 .00 78.62 .00 .00 .00 .00
BLACKSTONE 58.04 2,273.58 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
CAPE COD 13.06 36.83 .90 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
NARRAGANSETT 260.67 9,947.05 141.63 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
PAWCATUCK-WOOD 173.03 3,772.25 13.70 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
QUINEBAUG 26.81 550.80 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00

Rhode Island Assessed Waters
Individual Use Support for Rivers and Streams

 Description of this table
State Designated Use Total Miles Assessed Percent Good Percent Threatened Percent Impaired color.gif% Good
color.gif% Threatened
color.gif% Impaired
Fish, Shellfish, and Wildlife Protection and Propagation Fish, Shellfish, and Wildlife Protection and Propagation 506.31 74.24 .00 25.76 color.gifcolor.gif
Recreation Recreation 418.81 72.22 .00 27.78 color.gifcolor.gif
Public Water Supply Public Water Supply 4.04 100.00 .00 .00 color.gif
Aquatic Life Harvesting Aquatic Life Harvesting 7.72 .00 .00 100.00 color.gif
The state assessed 531.60 miles of rivers and streams, or 38.44% of 1,383.00 total miles.

Rhode Island Assessed Waters
Water Quality Attainment for Rivers and Streams

 Description of this table
Attainment Status Miles Percent of Assessed
Good 347.98 65.46
Threatened .00 .00
Impaired 183.62 34.54
Total Miles Assessed 531.60 100.00

Rhode Island Top Causes of Impairments
for Rivers and Streams

 Description of this table
# State Cause Name Total
Miles
Impaired
1 PATHOGENS 114.07
2 METALS 103.35
3 ORGANIC ENRICHMENT/LOW DO 35.69
4 NUTRIENTS 34.52
5 UNIONIZED AMMONIA 18.89
6 PCB'S 7.72
7 DIOXINS 7.72
8 ALGAL GRWTH/CHLOROPHYLL A 4.24
9 UNKNOWN TOXICITY 4.09
10 SALINITY/TDS/CHLORIDES 1.24

Rhode Island Top Probable Sources of Impairments
for Rivers and Streams

 Description of this table
# State Source Name Total Miles Impaired by Source
1 URBAN RUNOFF/STORM SEWERS 142.63
2 SOURCE UNKNOWN 56.82
3 LAND DISPOSAL 56.57
4 MUNICIPAL POINT SOURCES 40.82
5 NATURAL SOURCES 38.30
6 INDUSTRIAL POINT SOURCES 28.27
7 HYDROMODIFICATION 23.53
8 AGRICULTURE 21.01
9 SEDIMENT RESUSPENSION 16.61
10 GROUNDWATER LOADINGS 13.15

Rhode Island Assessed Waters
Individual Use Support for Lakes, Ponds and Reservoirs

 Description of this table
State Designated Use Total Acres Assessed Percent Good Percent Threatened Percent Impaired color.gif% Good
color.gif% Threatened
color.gif% Impaired
Fish, Shellfish, and Wildlife Protection and Propagation Fish, Shellfish, and Wildlife Protection and Propagation 15,501.25 80.01 .00 19.99 color.gifcolor.gif
Recreation Recreation 14,560.88 95.09 .00 4.91 color.gifcolor.gif
Public Water Supply Public Water Supply 5,483.97 98.91 .08 1.00 color.gifcolor.gifcolor.gif
Aquatic Life Harvesting Aquatic Life Harvesting 502.93 .00 .00 100.00 color.gif
The state assessed 16,580.51 acres of lakes, ponds and reservoirs, or 76.07% of 21,796.00 total acres.

Rhode Island Assessed Waters
Water Quality Attainment for Lakes, Ponds and Reservoirs

 Description of this table
Attainment Status Acres Percent of Assessed
Good 12,930.67 77.99
Threatened 4.54 .03
Impaired 3,645.30 21.99
Total Acres Assessed 16,580.51 100.00

Rhode Island Top Causes of Impairments
for Lakes, Ponds and Reservoirs

 Description of this table
# State Cause Name Total
Acres
Impaired
1 NUTRIENTS 1,987.40
2 ORGANIC ENRICHMENT/LOW DO 1,467.24
3 ALGAL GRWTH/CHLOROPHYLL A 1,466.61
4 METALS 1,228.17
5 PATHOGENS 714.55
6 NOXIOUS AQUATIC PLANTS 297.61
7 EXOTIC SPECIES 219.37
8 TURBIDITY 121.70
9 SILTATION 108.97
10 TASTE AND ODOR 54.97

Rhode Island Top Probable Sources of Impairments
for Lakes, Ponds and Reservoirs

 Description of this table
# State Source Name Total Acres Impaired by Source
1 URBAN RUNOFF/STORM SEWERS 2,205.65
2 LAND DISPOSAL 1,230.48
3 SOURCE UNKNOWN 739.53
4 AGRICULTURE 715.50
5 HYDROMODIFICATION 609.45
6 INTENSIVE ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS 480.13
7 RECREATION AND TOURISM ACTIVITIES (OTHER THAN BOATING) 307.96
8 NATURAL SOURCES 257.02
9 MUNICIPAL POINT SOURCES 252.75
10 INTERNAL NUTRIENT CYCLING (PRIMARILY LAKES) 224.40

Rhode Island Assessed Waters
Individual Use Support for Bays and Estuaries

 Description of this table
State Designated Use Total Square Miles Assessed Percent Good Percent Threatened Percent Impaired color.gif% Good
color.gif% Threatened
color.gif% Impaired
Fish, Shellfish, and Wildlife Protection and Propagation Fish, Shellfish, and Wildlife Protection and Propagation 116.41 64.01 .00 35.99 color.gifcolor.gif
Recreation Recreation 155.75 93.63 .00 6.37 color.gifcolor.gif
Aquatic Life Harvesting Aquatic Life Harvesting 131.35 79.32 .00 20.68 color.gifcolor.gif
The state assessed 156.23 square miles of bays and estuaries, or 100.00% of 156.23 total square miles.

Rhode Island Assessed Waters
Water Quality Attainment for Bays and Estuaries

 Description of this table
Attainment Status Square Miles Percent of Assessed
Good 108.59 69.50
Threatened .00 .00
Impaired 47.64 30.50
Total Square Miles Assessed 156.23 100.00

Rhode Island Top Causes of Impairments
for Bays and Estuaries

 Description of this table
# State Cause Name Total
Square Miles
Impaired
1 ORGANIC ENRICHMENT/LOW DO 40.97
2 PATHOGENS 36.21
3 NUTRIENTS 24.57
4 THERMAL MODIFICATIONS 9.82
5 METALS 8.34
6 ALGAL GRWTH/CHLOROPHYLL A 6.06
7 TOTAL TOXICS .99
8 UNKNOWN TOXICITY .03

Rhode Island Top Probable Sources of Impairments
for Bays and Estuaries

 Description of this table
# State Source Name Total Square Miles Impaired by Source
1 URBAN RUNOFF/STORM SEWERS 45.37
2 COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW 24.28
3 MUNICIPAL POINT SOURCES 19.97
4 INDUSTRIAL POINT SOURCES 9.82
5 MARINAS 7.09
6 LAND DISPOSAL 6.84
7 NATURAL SOURCES 3.84
8 GROUNDWATER LOADINGS 3.52
9 SOURCE UNKNOWN 3.23
10 AGRICULTURE 2.55

Rhode Island Assessed Waters
Individual Use Support for Coastal Shorelines

 Description of this table
State Designated Use Total Miles Assessed Percent Good Percent Threatened Percent Impaired color.gif% Good
color.gif% Threatened
color.gif% Impaired
Recreation Recreation 78.62 100.00 .00 .00 color.gif
Aquatic Life Harvesting Aquatic Life Harvesting 78.62 100.00 .00 .00 color.gif
The state assessed 78.62 miles of coastal shorelines, or 99.52% of 79.00 total miles.

Rhode Island Assessed Waters
Water Quality Attainment for Coastal Shorelines

 Description of this table
Attainment Status Miles Percent of Assessed
Good 78.62 100.00
Threatened .00 .00
Impaired .00 .00
Total Miles Assessed 78.62 100.00

Rhode Island Top Causes of Impairments
for Coastal Shorelines

No Causes for Impairment Reported.

Rhode Island Top Probable Sources of Impairments
for Coastal Shorelines

No Probable Sources Reported.

Rhode Island

Causes of Impairment

Description of this table
State Cause Name Size of Assessed Waters with Listed Causes of Impairment
Rivers, Streams, Creeks (Miles) Lakes, Ponds, Reservoir (Acres) Bays, Estuaries (Square Miles) Coastal Shorelines (Miles) Oceans, Near Coastal Waters (Square Miles) Wetlands (Acres) Great Lakes Shoreline (Miles) Great Lakes Open Waters (Squar Miles)
EXOTIC SPECIES .00 219.37 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
TASTE AND ODOR .00 54.97 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
METALS 103.35 1,228.17 8.34 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
PATHOGENS 114.07 714.55 36.21 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
SILTATION .00 108.97 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
SUSPENDED SOLIDS .00 26.26 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
UNKNOWN TOXICITY 4.09 .00 .03 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
PCB'S 7.72 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
ALGAL GRWTH/CHLOROPHYLL A 4.24 1,466.61 6.06 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
ORGANIC ENRICHMENT/LOW DO 35.69 1,467.24 40.97 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
THERMAL MODIFICATIONS .00 .00 9.82 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
NOXIOUS AQUATIC PLANTS .00 297.61 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
DIOXINS 7.72 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
TOTAL TOXICS .00 .00 .99 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
UNIONIZED AMMONIA 18.89 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
SALINITY/TDS/CHLORIDES 1.24 26.26 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
NUTRIENTS 34.52 1,987.40 24.57 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
TURBIDITY .00 121.70 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00

Rhode Island

Probable Sources Contributing to Impairment

Description of this table
State Source Name Size of Assessed Waters with Probable Sources of Impairment
Rivers, Streams, Creeks (Miles) Lakes, Ponds, Reservoir (Acres) Bays, Estuaries (Square Miles) Coastal Shorelines (Miles) Oceans, Near Coastal Waters (Square Miles) Wetlands (Acres) Great Lakes Shoreline (Miles) Great Lakes Open Waters (Square Miles)
LAND DISPOSAL 56.57 1,230.48 6.84 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
RESOURCE EXTRACTION 3.55 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS 7.72 .00 .90 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
HABITAT MODIFICATION (OTHER THAN HYDROMODIFICATION) .00 66.13 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
CONSTRUCTION 4.00 143.35 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION .00 33.17 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
MUNICIPAL POINT SOURCES 40.82 252.75 19.97 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
INTENSIVE ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS 6.37 480.13 .73 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
INTERNAL NUTRIENT CYCLING (PRIMARILY LAKES) .00 224.40 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
RECREATION AND TOURISM ACTIVITIES (OTHER THAN BOATING) 2.49 307.96 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
AGRICULTURE 21.01 715.50 2.55 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW 10.56 37.97 24.28 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
NATURAL SOURCES 38.30 257.02 3.84 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
SEDIMENT RESUSPENSION 16.61 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
MARINAS .00 .00 7.09 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
URBAN RUNOFF/STORM SEWERS 142.63 2,205.65 45.37 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
SOURCE UNKNOWN 56.82 739.53 3.23 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
HYDROMODIFICATION 23.53 609.45 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
GROUNDWATER LOADINGS 13.15 201.65 3.52 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
INDUSTRIAL POINT SOURCES 28.27 130.27 9.82 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
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