Capwell mill pond DAM is located on the carr river in the town of west greenwich rhode island

This federal Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the National Fish Passage Program (CFDA 15.685) provides $100,000.00 to the Rhode Islands Chapter of Trout Unlimited to support the removal of the Capwell Mill Pond Dam on the Carr River in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. The dam removal project aims to restore 8 miles and 24 acres of aquatic habitat for native brook trout and other species by reconnecting fragmented stream ecosystems within the Big River Wildlife Management Area. The project involves comprehensive ecological assessments, water temperature studies, and implementation of restoration efforts to enhance fish passage and support native species populations. This initiative represents the start of a larger restoration effort within the Big River WMA and aligns with the National Fish Passage Program's objectives to maintain and increase native fish populations while improving ecosystem resilience.

The river rises from carr pond in west greenwich and flows roughly due west past tarbox and capwell mill ponds to its confluence with the big river which leads to the south branch pawtuxet river. The carr river lies within the the big river wildlife management area WMA which was surveyed in 2021 for fish populations and barriers to fish passage. As the area has never been surveyed IT ranks very low with ebtjv due to having no data. However the recent surveys found wild native brook trout throughout the area. Capwell mill pond DAM is classified by rhode island department of environmental management ridem as having a significant hazard potential. Failure of the DAM would likely overtop and wash out burnt sawmill road just downstream of the DAM. Failure of the DAM may also destroy the USGS gaging station downstream of the bridge. Removal would open 8 miles and 24 acres for wild native brook trout and other native species. This is the start of a larger restoration project within the big river WMA.