Rhode Island

C

Coastline

Rhode Island fronts the Atlantic Ocean for 64 km (40 mi), but Narragansett Bay and numerous inlets result in the state having a tidal shoreline of 618 km (384 mi). Extending inland for 42 km (26 mi) to Providence, Narragansett Bay is the state’s dominant natural feature. Located in the bay are the islands of Rhode (also known as Aquidneck), Conanicut, and Prudence, as well as more than 30 smaller islands. The principal arms of the bay are known as rivers. They include the Seekonk and Providence rivers, which are a continuation of the Blackstone River, and the Sakonnet River, which is located between Rhode Island and the mainland. Long, sandy barrier beaches, backed by shallow lagoons and marshes, border the Atlantic Ocean from the entrance of Narragansett Bay to the state border with Connecticut. The coastline east of the bay is characterized by rocky headlands interspersed with sandy beaches.

D

Climate

Rhode Island has a humid continental climate, but the extremes of winter cold and summer heat usually associated with this type of climate are moderated in Rhode Island by the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay. At Warwick, near the center of the state, the January mean temperature is -2° C (28° F) and the July mean is 27° C (73° F). Along the northern state line, the January mean temperature is about 1° C (about 2° F) colder than in Warwick in January. Along the ocean coast, the January mean temperature is -1° C (30° F). Warm season temperatures are also influenced by the ocean and bay, so temperatures are usually cooler along the coast than in the interior. The difference tends to be greatest in spring and early summer. Winter temperatures in Rhode Island are usually above -7° C (20° F), but temperatures colder by about 10° C (about 20° F) have been recorded in all locations of the state. Days with temperatures in the mid-30°s C (lower 90°s F) are infrequent.

Rhode Island has a relatively wet climate, with precipitation rather evenly distributed throughout the year. Average annual precipitation for Providence and vicinity is 1,160 mm (46 in). Amounts are slightly less in the southeast and slightly greater in the northwest. Annual snowfall averages 890 mm (35 in), but actual totals in any given year can vary widely. Because of the moderating effects of the bay and ocean, snowfall is generally much less in the southern part of the state than in the interior. In the summer months there are occasional thunderstorms, which tend to be of limited severity. Hail is infrequent. Hurricanes occur with a frequency of about every 10 to 15 years. The most severe hurricane of the 20th century occurred in 1938, resulting in 262 deaths and extensive property damage. High winds often accompany winter storms.

The growing season, or period from the last killing frost in spring to the first killing frost in fall, is 190 days long in the low-lying eastern and southwestern sections and from 140 to 180 days long over the remainder of the state. The first killing frost in fall generally occurs in the first three weeks of October, and the last spring frost near the end of April.

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E

Soils

Most of the soils of Rhode Island are classified as typic dystrochrepts. These soils, typically found in areas with cool and rainy climates, are generally acidic, but they can be made productive by the addition of lime and organic fertilizer. The soils of southeastern Rhode Island are generally deep and comparatively free of stone and gravel, making them the best agricultural soils in the state. Soils in the western part of Rhode Island are sandier and stonier in texture. Steep slopes and large boulders deposited by glaciers obstruct agriculture in many locations, particularly in the north and west.

F

Plant Life

While 58 percent of Rhode Island is forested, only a few areas possess stands of timber suitable for use as lumber, and the chief value of the forests is for recreation. The principal trees are deciduous, and their leaves take on magnificent fall colors for a short period in October. White, black, scarlet, and scrub oaks are among the most common trees, and ash, hickory, elm, sassafras, willow, birch, and American beech are also found. The state tree is the red maple, which is found in wet areas of the state. Coniferous trees in the state include white pine, eastern hemlock, pitch pine, and red cedar.

Common wildflowers include the violet, which is the state flower, and daisies, bloodroots, trilliums, lilies, jack-in-the-pulpits, hepaticas, and the trailing arbutus. Asters, goldenrods, blue gentians, irises, and pimpernels are also found. Flowering dogwoods, rhododendrons, and mountain laurels color many wooded areas in spring, and the red berries of the American holly add a touch of color to the winter scene.

G

Animal Life

Although white-tailed deer are considered Rhode Island’s only large wild animal, moose and black bear occasionally cross the Connecticut and Massachusetts border in the state. Among the smaller animals native to the state are the raccoon, gray squirrel, woodchuck, and muskrat. Skunks, opossums, mink, coyotes, and red foxes are also numerous, as are salamanders, turtles, and snakes.

About 350 different species of birds have been observed in the state. Many are seasonal residents or transients who visit during their spring and fall migrations along the Atlantic Flyway. Along the coastal areas are various species of ducks, gulls, herons, rail, geese, cormorants, and terns. In some areas, shearwaters, petrels, gannets, and other seabirds have been observed. Common in the inland areas are the red-tailed hawk, osprey, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, bobwhite, ruffed grouse, robin, catbird, and various kinds of warblers. The wild turkey has been successfully reintroduced to the state and is common in the western half. Block Island is frequented by large numbers of migratory birds. The Rhode Island Red breed of chicken was developed at Little Compton in 1854 and is the state bird.

Rhode Island’s marine waters abound in flounder, butterfish, mackerel, tuna, scup, cod, angler, and whiting, all of which are caught commercially. Popular game fish include striped bass, tautog (blackfish), bluefin tuna, and swordfish. Quahogs, which are a large and strongly flavored type of clam, and scallops, oysters, crabs, and lobsters are taken along the coast. Freshwater fish include black bass, yellow perch, white perch, and the brook, rainbow, and brown trout.

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