Westport River
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The Westport River in Massachusetts lies between Narragansett Bay and Buzzards Bay. It is widely used for recreation and boating. It is regarded as a difficult river to enter, and local knowledge is required.
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[edit] River Front Amenities and Facilities
The Westport River facilties are presented in an effort to facilitate safe usage of the river. The area is rural and undeveloped, with many users. As a recreational area, the presence of support along the river is critical to boating safety.
Tripp's Boat Yard, a full service facility, located on the historical east branch, nestled amongst the dunes of Horseneck Beach, can provide assistance.
The Back Eddy restaurant is world renown for it cuisine, using local fish, and local farm fresh produce.
You can reach the harbor master at 508-636-6827 or on VHF Channel 16. The the harbor master provides emergency aid. Tow Boats US stations a rescue and tow boat on the river during the summer.
The Westport Yacht Club is located adjacent to Tripps Boat Yard, on the east.
Community boating courses are availible through Spindle Rock Club, 508-636-5422 / 401-635-4052, also located on the river.
[edit] Wildlife
The Westport River estuary has long been known for its wildlife. Deer, coyotes, foxes, and turkeys can all be spotted at different times along the shore. Ospreys are very prevalent. There were 41 nesting sites confirmed in 1980. Now the population has spread to over 300 state wide, due to the Westport River estuary nesting program. MassWildlife continues to provide technical assistance to monitor a sample of the nesting population to determine productivity. Contact Brad Blodget 508.792.7270 x152
The East Branch of the Westport River has been identified as Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for 21 species of fish. The species are shown below : Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua), Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinu)s, Pollock (Pollachius virens), Red hake (Urophycis chuss), Winter Flounder (Pleuronectes americanus), Windowpane Flounder (Scopthalmus aquosus), American Plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides), Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus), Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), Atlantic Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus), Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) , Summer Flounder (Paralicthys dentatus) , Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) , Black Sea Bass (Centropristus striata) , Surf Clam (Spisula solidissima) , King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) , Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus), Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) , Sandbar Shark (Charcharinus plumbeus) , Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) .
[edit] The US Coast Pilot - Westport River
The Westport River empties into the large bight between Gooseberry Neck and Sakonnet Point (chart 13221). The mouth of the river is between Horseneck Point, 2.7 miles northwest of Gooseberry Neck, and The Knubble, a protruding mound of granite marked by a light about 0.2 mile south of Horseneck Point. The river is the approach to Westport Harbor, the area just inside the entrance; the village of Westport Point,on the north shore of the east branch of the river; and the village of Acoaxet, westward of The Knubble. Fishing and pleasure boats use the river as far as Westport Point. The bar and entrance channels are marked by buoys. The entrance channel is narrow and crooked. In June 2000, the bar and entrance channels had controlling depths of 7.1 feet over the bar and 5.5 feet (6.9 feet at midchannel) in the entrance. Depths over the bar are continually changing, and local information should be obtained as to depths and best water. Numerous rocks are in the channel below the bridge at Westport Point; caution is advised. Boats should not try to enter during strong southerly winds as heavy seas break over the entrance bar. About 1 mile above the entrance the river divides into two branches. The west branch is shallow, with a narrow channel marked by private seasonal buoys, and is used by local craft to opposite Toms Point, about 1.6 miles above the entrance. Above the Westport Point bridge, the east branch is marked by private seasonal buoys as far as the Hix Bridge, 4.7 miles above Westport Point. A reported depth of about 4 feet can be carried to this bridge with local knowledge. A highway bridge with a 49-foot bascule span and a clearance of 21 feet at the center crosses the river at Westport Point, about 2 miles above the mouth. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.620, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Hix highway bridge, about 6 miles above the mouth, has a 35-foot fixed span with a clearance of 3 feet. An overhead power cable on the north side of Hix bridge has a clearance of 37 feet. Approaching Westport River, boats must take care to pass westward of the dangers off Gooseberry Neck and eastward of the dangers off the river entrance. Numerous rocks and ledges are southward of the entrance to the river. Twomile Rock, 1 mile southeastward of Westport Harbor Entrance Light 5 on The Knubble, is marked by a daybeacon. Shoals with depths of 5 to 18 feet are southeasterly of the rock. A buoy is 0.35 mile south-southeast of the rock. Halfmile Rock, 3 feet high, is 325 yards southeast of the light on The Knubble. The shoal water surrounding the rock is marked by a buoy. The area south of The Knubble is very foul. Other unmarked dangers include Twomile Ledge, extending 1 mile south of The Knubble, and covered 2 to 12 feet; Joe Burris Ledge covered 14 feet, midway between Halfmile Rock and Twomile Rock, and Pinetree Ground, about 1 mile south of Twomile Rock, covered 25 to 30 feet. The shore in this vicinity should be given a berth of about 1.3 miles to avoid numerous rocks and ledges extending about 1 mile offshore for 2.5 miles westward of Westport Harbor. Tides and currents The mean range of tide is 3.0 feet. The tidal current in the entrance has a velocity of 2.5 knots, and caution is recommended when navigating the river. (See the Tidal Current tables for predictions.) Two piers, used by fishing and pleasure boats, are at Westport Point. These piers have reported depths of about 10 feet at their faces. Berthing at the piers is under the control of the harbormaster, who can be contacted through the town hall or police department. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. A boatyard and a marina are in the harbor. The boatyard is on Horseneck Point about 0.5 mile west of the highway bridge. The marina is on Westport Point about 0.1 mile west of the highway bridge. Berths, moorings, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, launching ramps, and marine supplies are available. The largest marine railway is at the boatyard and can handle craft up to 60 feet for hull and engine repairs and dry open or covered storage. No-Discharge Zone The State of Massachusetts, with the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency, has established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the coastal waters of Westport. The NDZ includes Westport Harbor and the East and West Branches of the Westport River (see chart 13228 for limits). Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by 40 CFR 140.
