Watuppa Ponds
Encyclopedia
The Watuppa Ponds are two large, naturally occurring, spring-fed, glacially formed ponds located in Fall River
and Westport
, Massachusetts
. The two ponds were originally one, connected by a narrow channel near what is now the boundary between Fall River and Westport.
North Watuppa Pond (1,805 acres) is the second-largest naturally occurring body of water within Massachusetts
, has been used as the City of Fall River's primary drinking water supply since the 19th century, and drains into South Watuppa Pond by a small stream channel in an area known as the Narrows. An ice house was also built in 1864 along the shores of North Watuppa Pond and operated during the 19th Century, the remains of which are still standing, although greatly covered by overgrown woods in recent years. The North Watuppa Pond is patrolled by the City's Water Department, and all activities including fishing, boating, swimming or skating are strictly prohibited.
South Watuppa Pond (1,551 acres) is ranked as the third-largest naturally occurring body of water within Massachusetts
, and is also fed by Sucker Brook near its eastern shore which flows from Stafford Pond in nearby Tiverton, Rhode Island. The ponds are drained by the Quequechan River
, which flows in a westerly direction through the center of Fall River
from South Watuppa Pond to Mount Hope Bay
.
Historically, several textile factories have been located on the shores of the South Watuppa Pond, including the Fall River Bleachery
and the Kerr Thread Mills. South Watuppa Pond is currently surrounded by many private residences, and public access is fairly limited.
South Watuppa Pond is a popular fishing area with boat access from a city-managed public boat ramp located off the end of Jefferson Street, in an area known as "Dave's Beach". Some common fish species in the pond include Largemouth bass
, Smallmouth bass
, Tiger muskie, White perch
and Black Crappie.
In 1963, Interstate 195
was constructed through the "Narrows" dividing North and South Watuppa Ponds. U.S. Route 6
also crosses the pond at this location, parallel to the interstate.
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
and Westport
Westport, Massachusetts
Westport is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 15,532 at the 2010 census.The village of North Westport lies in the town.- History :...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. The two ponds were originally one, connected by a narrow channel near what is now the boundary between Fall River and Westport.
North Watuppa Pond (1,805 acres) is the second-largest naturally occurring body of water within Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, has been used as the City of Fall River's primary drinking water supply since the 19th century, and drains into South Watuppa Pond by a small stream channel in an area known as the Narrows. An ice house was also built in 1864 along the shores of North Watuppa Pond and operated during the 19th Century, the remains of which are still standing, although greatly covered by overgrown woods in recent years. The North Watuppa Pond is patrolled by the City's Water Department, and all activities including fishing, boating, swimming or skating are strictly prohibited.
South Watuppa Pond (1,551 acres) is ranked as the third-largest naturally occurring body of water within Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, and is also fed by Sucker Brook near its eastern shore which flows from Stafford Pond in nearby Tiverton, Rhode Island. The ponds are drained by the Quequechan River
Quequechan River
The Quequechan River , is a river in Fall River, Massachusetts that flows in a northwesterly direction from the South Watuppa Pond to the Taunton River. The word Quequechan means "falling water" in Wampanoag, hence the city's name....
, which flows in a westerly direction through the center of Fall River
Fall River
-Cities and towns:In Canada:*Fall River, Nova ScotiaIn the United States:*Fall River, Kansas*Fall River, Massachusetts, the largest city with this name*Fall River, Tennessee*Fall River, Wisconsin*Fall River County, South Dakota-Rivers:In Canada:...
from South Watuppa Pond to Mount Hope Bay
Mount Hope Bay
Mount Hope Bay is a tidal estuary located at the mouth of the Taunton River on the Massachusetts and Rhode Island border. It is an arm of Narragansett Bay. The bay is named after Mount Hope, a small hill located on its western shore in what is now Bristol, Rhode Island. It flows into the East...
.
Historically, several textile factories have been located on the shores of the South Watuppa Pond, including the Fall River Bleachery
Fall River Bleachery
Fall River Bleachery is an historic textile bleachery on Jefferson Street in Fall River, Massachusetts.The bleachery was built in 1872 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.-Historical background:...
and the Kerr Thread Mills. South Watuppa Pond is currently surrounded by many private residences, and public access is fairly limited.
South Watuppa Pond is a popular fishing area with boat access from a city-managed public boat ramp located off the end of Jefferson Street, in an area known as "Dave's Beach". Some common fish species in the pond include Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
, Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...
, Tiger muskie, White perch
White perch
The white perch, Morone americana, is not a true perch but is, rather, a fish of the temperate bass family, Moronidae, notable as a food and game fish in eastern North America.The name "white perch" is sometimes erroneously applied to the white crappie....
and Black Crappie.
In 1963, Interstate 195
Interstate 195 (Rhode Island-Massachusetts)
Interstate 195 is an Interstate Highway running a combined 40.1 miles in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It travels from a junction with Interstate 95 in Providence, Rhode Island east to a junction with Interstate 495 and Route 25 in Wareham, Massachusetts...
was constructed through the "Narrows" dividing North and South Watuppa Ponds. U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6 in Massachusetts
Route 6 is the portion of the cross-country U.S. Route 6 in the state of Massachusetts. Route 6 runs in the state connecting Providence, Rhode Island to Fall River, New Bedford, and Cape Cod. In the Fall River and New Bedford areas, Route 6 is a secondary highway paralleling Interstate 195...
also crosses the pond at this location, parallel to the interstate.