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home > wma's > Newton Swamp Newton Swamp Management Area Reference Map: 
 Topographical Map:
 Location and Access Newton Swamp Management Area is located in the Town of Westerly, R. I. along the Westerly Bradford Road (Route 91) approximately 0.7 miles west of the intersection of Dunns Corner Road. Route 91 passes through the management area with two-thirds of the area north of this road and one third south of the road. Access to the area is from Route 91; there is no official parking area. Habitat Newton Swamp Management Area is comprised of 111 acres of shrub bog and marsh habitat. It is part of the much larger Aguntaug (Chapman) Swamp which is the largest contiguous freshwater wetland complex in the state of Rhode Island. This wetland complex as a whole is comprised of many different wetland types including bog, fen, shallow marsh, red maple an Atlantic white cedar swamp. McGowan Brook drains through the management area flowing north to the Pawcatuck River. The entire management area is wetland comprised of approximately 20% (22 acres) as shallow open water and 80% (89 acres) as dense shrub bog of leatherleaf, sweet pepperbush and azalea. Wildlife Newton Swamp is used primarily by wetland wildlife, particularly waterfowl (ducks) and other wetland birds. The area is managed to produce wood ducks and several nest boxes are maintained by DEM Fish and Wildlife. In the fall, many species of duck can be seen in the area including wood duck, black duck, mallard, ringneck duck as well as an occasional Canada goose. Recently, beaver (Castor canadensis) have made their presence known in the rivers and streams in this area and several other species of furbearing mammals (mink, muskrat, and river otter) are known to inhabit the Newton Swamp.
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