Winnapaug Pond (also known as Brightman Pond[2]) is a breached saltwater lagoon in Westerly, Rhode Island, United States, connected to Block Island Sound by the Weekapaug Breachway, which was constructed during the mid-1950s.[3][4] The 2.5-mile (4.0 km) lake is separated from the Atlantic by a large sandbar.[5][6] The Atlantic side of the sandbar is lined by beaches, including Misquamicut Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Westerly Town Beach. In 2010, its overall water quality was assessed as "good".[7] Winnapaug is relatively small and shallow, and is favorable for kayaking.[2] It is one of nine coastal lagoons, referred to as "salt ponds" by locals, in southern Rhode Island.[8][9]

Winnapaug Pond
Brightman Pond
Weekapaug Breachway looking south
Winnapaug Pond is located in Rhode Island
Winnapaug Pond
Winnapaug Pond
LocationWesterly, Washington County, Rhode Island, United States
Coordinates41°19′54″N 71°47′12″W / 41.331767°N 71.786734°W / 41.331767; -71.786734
Typesaline
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length2.5 mi (4.0 km)
Surface area.7439 sq mi (1.927 km2)[1]

References

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  1. ^ "National Assessment Database". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  2. ^ a b "Winnapaug Pond". Salt Ponds Coalition. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  3. ^ "Restore America's Estuaries 4th National Conference on Coastal and Estuarine" (PDF). Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council. 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  4. ^ "South County icons". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  5. ^ "Winnapaug Pond". The Columbia Gazetteer of North America. 2000. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  6. ^ "Salt Ponds Region". Rhode Island Rivers Council. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  7. ^ "2010 Waterbody Report for Winnapaug Pond". Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  8. ^ Donald Wyatt (1995). "Rhode Island's last execution". FAQs.org. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  9. ^ 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.