Trustom Pond

Trustom Pond
File:Trustom Pond.JPG
Location	South Kingstown Washington County, Rhode Island
Coordinates
Type	saline
Primary inflows	precipitation, groundwater
Catchment area	794 acres (321 ha)
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	180 acres (73 ha)
Average depth	1.3 ft (0.40 m)
Surface elevation	0 ft
References

Trustom Pond is a closed lagoon in South Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. It is one of nine coastal lagoons (referred to as "salt ponds" by locals) in southern Rhode Island. It has a surface area of 800 acres (320 ha), and is the only undeveloped salt pond in the state. The pond averages 1.3 feet (0.40 m) deep, and has a salinity level of 5 parts per thousand. It is non-tidal, except when breached by storms. The water directly receives about 219,844,022 US gallons (832,200,150 L) of precipitation per year, with an estimated 796,215 US gallons (3,014,000 L) in daily groundwater flow. No streams flow into the pond, though a nearby stream "captures water that otherwise would have flowed to Trustom Pond".

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge, inhabited by over 300 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, and 20 species of reptiles and amphibians. As such, it is a popular bird-watching destination. In 1987, 365 acres (148 ha) of land were donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; subsequent donations and purchases raised the protected area to 800 acres (320 ha), with current plans for expansion. The wildlife refuge receives approximately 50,000 visitors annually. The Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge includes of foot trails, surrounded by fields, shrublands, woodlands and small freshwater ponds. Wildlife managers create breachways to the Block Island Sound, lowering water levels and creating mudflats which become feeding areas for waders.

See also

• List of lakes in Rhode Island
• Geography of Rhode Island

External links

• U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Trustom Pond
• Trustom Pond map