Research on Greenwich Bay

In 1992, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management Closed Greenwich Bay to shellfishing after finding unusually high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. This closure was devastating to shellfishermen who rely on the bay for their livelihood. The city of Warwick later passed a $10.5 million bond issue to reclaim Greenwich Bay. Sea Grant researchers and city and state officials collaborated to determine specific means to implement remedial action. The results of the research are available below. For information on current efforts to clean up the bay, visit the Management page.

Restoring Water Quality in Greenwich Bay: A Whitepaper Series

This whitepaper series is the result of a collaborative research effort among Rhode Island Sea Grant, the city of Warwick, and the R.I. Department of Environmental Management to determine specific means to restore water quality in Greenwich Bay.

An Assessment of Eutrophication in Greenwich Bay (pdf)
Steve Granger et al

Greenwich Bay and Its Watershed: Spatial Data for Planning and
Environmental Management (pdf)
Peter August et al

Groundwater Discharge to Greenwich Bay (pdf) NOTE: Figure 1 currently unavailable, coming soon.
Dan Urish and Anthony Gomez

Forthcoming whitepapers:

Responding to the Crisis: Formation of the Greenwich Bay Partnership

Stormwater Discharges to Greenwich Bay

Circulation and Flushing Dynamics of Greenwich Bay and Its Coves

Education and Community Outreach for Greenwich Bay