Sense of Place + Recreation

Sense of place indicates our emotional connection or attachment to specific places or landscapes. Sense of place often develops over time through personal experience and encompasses a variety of qualities. Social, cultural, ecological, aesthetic, or historical associations all have the ability to create a special relationship between people and their environment. 

Because it largely develops from experience and perception, sense of place differs for each individual. While one person might have positive memories associated with a specific location, another might experience this same place negatively. Regardless of perception, attachment to a place plays an important part in one’s mental health. It is not unusual for this type of emotional connection to become intertwined with one’s own personal and cultural identity.

Community sentiment around a dam may vary based on the location, structure, history, and the use of the dam and reservoir. A dam may have been the foundation of a community, used to provide power for a mill by one generation, and a tourist attraction for the next – becoming an important part of the community identity, sense of place, and pride. In some cases, a community’s attachment may be to the reservoir rather than to the dam itself. It may be a cherished community swimming hole or a place where generations have grown up fishing. In some cases, the aesthetics of the dam are valued by the community — the view of the waterfall, the sound of falling water, a visual landmark within the forest. And for others, the dam may represent the colonization of the river and the appropriation of the land from Indigenous communities.

Depending on whether a community’s attachment is to the dam, the reservoir, or the free-flowing river, various future scenarios may be considered. For example, a nature-like fishway can preserve a reservoir while significantly improving fish passage, however the dam structure will no longer be visible. If space exists around the dam, a bypass channel can preserve the view of the dam while also significantly improving fish passage and habitat connectivity. In addition, there may be ways to use design to maintain a sense of place and the aesthetics of the dam even if the dam is removed. See the “Scenarios” page to explore some of these alternatives. 

Since all dams and all communities are unique, it is important for local communities to discuss what is significant to them. The Decision Support Tools can provide guidance on helping communities discuss their local dam to explore what aspects of the dam and surrounding landscape are important to them.

Recreation

One of the primary ways that people currently interact and develop a connection to the region’s rivers is through recreation. Within the Narragansett Bay and coastal watersheds, waterways provide an important opportunity for recreation. In addition to the 256 miles of coastline in Narragansett Bay, there are over 3,000 miles of rivers and streams in the watershed that provide freshwater boating, swimming and fishing opportunities. 

Flowing River Recreation

Rivers within the region are a popular recreational destination for kayaks and canoes. Whether day trips or overnight trips, smooth water or rapids, paddlers flock to rivers in the warm months of the year. However, the high number of dams in the watershed create an obstacle and hazard for paddlers traveling downstream along a river. Paddlers have to be knowledgeable about the location of dams and the location of portages (locations where boats need to be carried around a dam). In some places, the portage includes challenging and lengthy traverses across roads and up steep embankments. There is also a significant risk that paddlers unaware of a dam’s location can go over the dam, capsize and potentially drown. The presence and frequency of dams on rivers can prevent paddlers from feeling safe exploring the region’s rivers. In addition to paddling, some of the region’s free flowing rivers are commonly used for fly-fishing.

Reservoir Recreation

Flat water behind a dam provides a different set of recreational opportunities. Reservoirs or impounded rivers are often used  by communities for boating, swimming and fishing. In addition to canoes and kayaks, reservoirs are sometimes accessible to motorized boats. Out of the 801 reservoirs in the watershed, 68 (or 8.5%) are stocked with fresh water fish. Additionally, the flat water of reservoirs make them popular swimming places for people of all ages. The recreational opportunities on a reservoir will vary based on size and access. Some have boat ramps and docks while others have restricted access due to them being for water supply.

When making a decision about the future of a dam, there is a trade-off between prioritizing flowing river recreation vs recreation on flat water of a reservoir. See the “Scenarios Page” to explore some of the alternatives that can be used to preserve a reservoir while improving habitat connectivity and fish passage.