The Watershed 

The valley is widely recognized as the Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. This began in 1790 when Samuel Slater established the Slater Mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, using water power from the mighty Blackstone River to power machinery for spinning cotton yarn. Rapid industrial growth followed. Mill owners, often using water power from dams and millponds, built entire villages (like Slatersville, RI and Hopedale, MA) that housed workers—initially local farm families, and later waves of immigrants, primarily Irish (who also built the Blackstone Canal in the 1820s) and French Canadians. The river's power also fueled iron forges, sawmills, and later, industries producing tools, engines, and paper. The introduction of the Blackstone Canal  in 1828 and later the railroad system enabled efficient transport. 

Impacts to the River 

Results of this heavy industrial use can be seen in the Blackstone River's water, sediments, and physical structures connected to its waterways. Gone are the days of the river running blue or green or yellow as a result of textile mill operations. But the sediments still contain persistent chemicals that can adversely affect aquatic life. Addressing their cleanup is a complicated, expensive process. In some cases, the best solution is to leave these sediments in place rather than risk re-releasing the contaminants into the waterways during a dredging operation. In contrast, a bioremediation project called an “EcoMachine” containing aquatic plants and fungi is being used to degrade persistent oils that saturated groundwater during and after operations at the Fisherville textile mill in Grafton. The BRWA works to educate citizens, businesses and policy makers about the challenge of industrial contaminants through its work and public programs.