Providence: A Capital Shaped by Water
In downtown Providence, Rhode Island, a short walk can take you across several rivers. Bridges connect streets, paths follow the water, and boats travel near the city. These waterways are more than scenery. They help explain where Providence grew and how people use and protect the city today.
Providence is the capital of Rhode Island, the smallest state in the United States by area. The city stands near the northern end of Narragansett Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that reaches into Rhode Island. Water flowing from inland rivers eventually meets the salty water of the bay. This location connects Providence to both the land upstream and the ocean beyond.
Two rivers, the Woonasquatucket and the Moshassuck, meet in downtown Providence to form the Providence River. The Providence River flows south toward Narragansett Bay. Farther east, the Seekonk River joins the Providence River. These waterways gather rain and melted snow from a wider area of land and carry it toward the bay.
The water near downtown does not always move in just one direction. Ocean tides cause the water level to rise and fall, and they can push water upstream. As a result, parts of the rivers near the bay contain a mixture of fresh and salty water. Such places can provide habitats for fish, birds, and other wildlife.
- inland:
- Away from the coast or ocean.
- habitats:
- Places where plants and animals live.
- settlement:
- A place where people establish a community.
- trade:
- The buying, selling, or exchange of goods.
- industry:
- The work of making goods, often in factories.
- polluted:
- Made dirty or unsafe by harmful substances or waste.
- barrier:
- A structure that blocks or limits movement.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How does the passage show that water has shaped Providence in both the past and the present?
- 2How are the Woonasquatucket, Moshassuck, and Providence rivers connected?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“Providence: A Capital Shaped by Water” is a explanatory article reading passage about Providence geography, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (493 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.