Narragansett Bay Reserve, Rhode Island

Prudence Island Component

Flora (plant life) Fauna (animal life) & Endangered Species Geology

Prudence Island is located in the center of Narragansett Bay. The closest point to the mainland is at the northern end of the island which is one and one-half miles southeast of Warwick Neck and one and three-quarter miles southwest of Popasquash Point, Bristol. Over 700 acres on the northern end of the island are included in the component.

The component's land is very irregular in shape, the north end has two coves on the west side and one on the east side. The terrain has a low profile, with slopes of 13-15 percent and a maximum elevation of 70 feet. Isolated hummocks and a long north-south ridge of unconsolidated glacial material are among the area's notable upland features. The coves on the western shore combine to form 92 acres of salt marsh. Several large salt marsh areas are found in the "creek" connecting North Prudence to the central section of the island. The central area contains forested uplands with the highest elevation at 180 feet. South Prudence has rock cliffs along the waterfront, grading into cobble beaches. An extensive eelgrass meadow runs along the east shore.