🌤 Weather at Worden Pond by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27–66 °F | 54–80 °F | 32–73 °F | 19–43 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Kingston 1 W, 3 mi away, elevation 106 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Worden Pond is a natural freshwater pond in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, with a state-owned boat ramp that the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) lists among its public boat launching sites under Fish & Wildlife. It is not a state park. DEM’s boat-launch list spells the name “Worden’s Pond”, which is why you will also see it searched as “Wordens Pond”.
DEM describes Worden Pond as the largest natural (glacial) freshwater pond in Rhode Island. It is also extremely shallow, and since 2023 it has been fighting the invasive water plant hydrilla, so a visit here is mostly about fishing, boating and paddling with clean gear.
Size and Depth
DEM gives the pond’s size as approximately 1,094 acres on its hydrilla page and in its May 2025 press release; its list of public boat launching sites shows 1,043 acres. According to DEM, the average depth is 3 feet and the maximum depth about 6 feet, so you should expect shallow water across most of the pond.
Worden Pond is the headwater of the Pawcatuck River, part of the federally designated Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers. DEM notes that the pond serves as spawning and nursery habitat for native anadromous fish such as river herring, Atlantic salmon, American shad and alewife.
The State Boat Ramp
DEM lists the ramp as state-owned and operated, with a cement slab ramp, no horsepower restriction and parking. To get there, follow DEM’s directions: Route 138 to Route 110 to Worden’s Pond Road, then about half a mile on the north side. DEM’s hydrilla page also mentions an accessible dock at the state boat launch.
The pond is heavily used for fishing, boating, paddling and wildlife observation from the state boat launch. Before you fish, buy your Rhode Island recreational fishing license, as DEM reminds visitors on its boat-launch page.
Invasive Hydrilla and the Boat Cleaning Station
DEM staff identified the invasive plant hydrilla at the Worden Pond boat launch in November 2023, which made Worden Pond only the third lake in Rhode Island where hydrilla had been observed. A survey in June 2024 found hydrilla covering approximately 149 acres, over 13% of the pond. Two other invasive plants, variable milfoil and fanwort, have been documented in the pond since 2009 and covered about 40 acres each.
In May 2025 DEM announced that the Town of South Kingstown had installed a self-service boat cleaning station at the Worden Pond boat ramp, free to the public throughout boating season. It was purchased with a $35,000 EPA Section 319 grant secured through DEM, plus $21,610 from the town.
In Rhode Island it is prohibited to transport any plant or plant part into or out of a waterbody on boats, trailers, vehicles, fishing supplies or other equipment. DEM asks you to follow Clean, Drain, Dry:
- Clean: remove all visible aquatic plants, animals and mud from your equipment before you leave the water access.
- Drain: the motor, bilge, livewell and other water-containing devices before you leave the water access.
- Dry: everything for at least 24 hours, or wipe it with a towel before reuse.
In its December 2025 update, DEM reported that Congress had allocated a one-time $500,000 in federal funding for a DEM grant to treat hydrilla in Worden Pond chemically, with the goal of a treatment in 2026 if feasible. DEM also planned to repeat the plant survey in June 2026 and to fund a boat greeter at the ramp in summer 2026. If you think you have found hydrilla in another lake, take a photo and report it at dem.ri.gov/hydrilla.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Worden Pond the largest lake in Rhode Island?
DEM calls Worden Pond the largest natural (glacial) freshwater pond in Rhode Island, at approximately 1,094 acres.
How deep is Worden Pond?
Very shallow. DEM gives an average depth of 3 feet and a maximum depth of about 6 feet.
Is Worden Pond a state park?
No. The pond has a state-owned boat ramp listed by DEM Fish & Wildlife, but it is not part of Rhode Island’s state park system.
Is there a boat cleaning station?
Yes. The Town of South Kingstown installed a free, self-service boat cleaning station at the Worden Pond boat ramp in 2025.
Explore More Parks in Rhode Island
Worden Pond is not a state park but a pond with a state boat ramp run through DEM. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Rhode Island guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Editor’s note: We replaced the earlier version of this page in October 2026. Its title named a different DEM management area, and the text contained figures and claims we could not confirm with DEM, including the depth figures, a speed limit, the ramp location, a species table and historical details. This version uses only what DEM publishes about the pond and its boat ramp.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Fishermen’s Memorial State Park (a short drive away) or East Matunuck State Beach (a short drive away).
Park Location
Plan your gear for Worden Pond
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
