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News Release
From the Blackstone River Valley
Blackstone Valley Visitor Center
175 Main Street
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
Telephone 401-724-2200
E-mail: bvri@aol.com

Media Contact: Robert Billington
401-569-3244
October 16, 2005
9:00AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLACKSTONE RIVER PROJECTS RAVAGED BY FLOOD
Operations on the Explorer and Samuel Slater Canal boat Curtailed

Pawtucket, RI—In a statement released by Robert Billington, President of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, he announced that flooding of the Blackstone River has had an impact on several river projects and operations for both the Samuel Slater Canal Boat and the Blackstone Valley Explorer have been curtailed at least until Spring 2006.

Billington states, “This is the swiftest & highest water that has been seen along the Blackstone since 1983 and possibly 1953 and has taken a heavy toll.” Central Falls Landing as we knew it is gone. The solid deck was under water as of early Sunday morning. All floating docks have been destroyed. The Samuel Slater Canal boat is still safe for now, being held by two lines and two trees. The rising water through today, high winds and down-river debris are its greatest threat.

Access to the Woonsocket Landing in Market Square has been destroyed. The dock is still floating as is the Blackstone Valley Explorer, which is currently moored in Woonsocket. Also the Town Landing in Pawtucket is destroyed and no longer safe and one half of our docks at Festival Pier (where the Dragon Boat Festival takes place) have been torn away. Everything is headed to Narragansett Bay. As of last night, the eight dragon boats stored at Elizabeth Webbing off Roosevelt Avenue were full of water but still safe.

Other sites along the Blackstone River have also felt the impact of the rising waters. The Kelly House Museum is flooded, the River Lofts in Cumberland have been evacuated, and much of the Blackstone Valley Bike path is closed. Hodgeson Park at Slater Mill is also under water.

For further information regarding the Blackstone River or operations along the Blackstone River, please contact the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council at 401-724-2200. (PLEASE NOTE ALL MEDIA CALLS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO ROBERT BILLINGTON AT 401-569-3244.

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Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, On the banks of the Blackstone, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
1-800-454-BVTC (2882) Local: 401-724-2200 Fax: 401-724-1342 info@tourblackstone.com