The sheltered harbor of the Great Salt Pond is 673 acres in area and is an island of estuarine water on Block Island separating the northern and southern ends. Not only is it home to important ecological communities and sensitive to changes in water quality, but it is used recreationally and makes up a large piece of the Block Island community’s culture as well.

The Great Salt Pond (GSP) served as the primary home for Native Americans (pre-European contact), holding archeological material and becoming a member in 1990 to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the GSP harbors an average of 1,000 boats in the summer season and is a popular spot for kayaking, boating, shellfishing, paddling, and research. As a prime attraction for tourists, the GSP is also an important economic asset to the community- housing between 3 and 6 thousand boaters during peak season.

Environmental Significance

The GSP serves as a diverse habitat, home to over 300 species of birds (with 50 nesting along the Pond) and more than 30 species of both finfish and shellfish. In 2014, an investigation by The Nature Conservancy and RI’s Department of Environmental Management, was made in order to clearly determine the importance of the GSP as a nursery area for fish. The investigation recommends that as temperature, salinity, and oxygen levels in the pond increase or fluctuate, the fish and other organisms living within the GSP will directly and negatively be affected.

In addition, water quality of the GSP must be kept to safely house the species living throughout it and to safely continue recreational use. The water is frequently tested by the Committee of the Great Salt Pond and attempts to reduce pollutants through conservation and land acquisition (in order to preserve the land) have been accomplished.

Pollutants from boats including fecal coliform runoff (“black water” raw sewage), “grey water” (water from washing boats, showering, etc), and fuel leakage from boats based in the GSP. The Committee for the Great Salt Pond works to frequently test water quality and prevent further pollution. Another major pollutant is non-point pollution, increasing nitrogen and phosphorus in the water leading to accelerated plant growth (further growth and spread of invasive plant species) and algae blooms. This in turn decreases the oxygen levels in the water to points where fish and other wildlife cannot survive.

Protecting the pond’s dunes and buffers (especially around Beane Point) are important in protecting against salt water intrusion and allowing the development of plant communities (protected from salt water, sea spray, and winds) outside of dune-barriers. Along the GSP, the dunes and buffers have taken hits from various storms and tourists trampling over them, however, organizations have created new paths around them and initiatives to protect them from natural occurrences.

Dedicated to the Great Salt Pond specifically, is the Committee for the Great Salt Pond. This non-profit organization helps resolve environmental and development threats and concerns. The Committee was founded in order to fight the controversial building of a large ferry terminal inside of the GSP in 1986 and later helped appeal the expansion of Champlin’s docks. The organization also conducts water quality sampling in order to manage non-point source (human-made pollutants that move over land by rain or snow melt and are depositing into bodies of water) pollution impacts on the pond.

 In addition, The Nature Conservancy and Block Island Conservancy share a broader interest in the overall preservation and conservation of Block Island as a whole, collaborating to protect areas including the GSP.

Lastly, is the Block Island Marine Institute (neighboring Pond and Beyond), who work to educate children and adults on marine science and aquaculture.

To learn more about these organizations, see links on titles.