Wheeler School Students Dive into River Science

Last week, students from The Wheeler School joined the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) for a hands-on fish sampling and identification session at Rising Sun Mills in Providence, helping us learn more about the aquatic life that calls our urban river home!

On Tuesday, October 20, 18 Wheeler School high school students joined WRWC staff to explore the river through electrofishing, a scientific monitoring technique used to temporarily capture fish so they can be identified, measured, recorded, and safely released back into the water.

And the results were pretty exciting!

Together, we collected, measured, logged, and released more than 50 fish representing nine different species! Among our notable discoveries were chain pickerel, bluegill, and more than 20 American eels! The largest eel measured an impressive 13 inches.

Beyond the excitement of discovering what lives beneath the water, this experience gives students a firsthand look at how scientists monitor the health of our waterways.

By collecting information about fish populations in different sections of the Woonasquatucket River, WRWC can better understand how water quality and habitat conditions affect aquatic wildlife. Our findings are reported to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), contributing to ongoing efforts to monitor, restore, and protect the river.

Urban rivers like the Woonasquatucket are critical wildlife corridors, providing habitat for an incredible diversity of species right in the heart of our communities.

And we’re not finished yet! Wheeler School students will return to Rising Sun Mills on Wednesday, October 28, for a second session of fish sampling, identification, and hands-on environmental education.

A huge thank-you to the students and educators at The Wheeler School for getting their feet wet, embracing science, and helping us better understand the wildlife that makes the Woonasquatucket River so special!

Want to learn more about electrofishing and WRWC’s river monitoring work? Check out these articles: