Ninigret Pond

Ninigret Pond
Seen in August 2009
Ninigret Pond
Location	Charlestown, Washington County, Rhode Island
Coordinates	41°22′45″N 71°38′43″W / 41.3792677°N 71.6453401°W / 41.3792677; -71.6453401
Type	coastal lagoon, saline
Primary inflows	Precipitation, groundwater
Primary outflows	Block Island Sound
Catchment area	7,645.65 acres (30.9408 km2)
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	3.91 mi (6.29 km)
Max. width	1.83 mi (2.95 km)
Surface area	1,580.38 acres (6.3956 km2)
Average depth	4.3 ft (1.3 m)
Surface elevation	0 ft (0 m)
Islands	8

Ninigret is a coastal lagoon in Charlestown, Rhode Island, in the United States, located at 41°22′45″N 71°38′43″W / 41.3792677°N 71.6453401°W / 41.3792677; -71.6453401.^[1][2] It is the largest of the nine lagoons, or "salt ponds", in southern Rhode Island.^[3][4] It is utilized for recreational activities, as well as oyster and quahog harvesting. Found along its shores are "extensive" archaeological remains.^[1] Ninigret Pond, like others in the region, was "formed after the recession of the glaciers 12,000 years ago".^[5] The pond is situated on low-lying ground, and as such, it is considered particularly vulnerable to storm surge flooding.^[4] It is connected to Green Hill Pond via a small channel.^[6]

The pond is located within the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. Both are named for Ninigret, a 17th-century sachem of the eastern Niantic aboriginal American tribe.