PFAS Impact Study on Stocked Trout - Upper Melville Pond Fishing Closure
Summary
RI DEM and RIDOH announced a collaborative study with EPA, Roger Williams University, and the Town of Portsmouth to examine PFAS accumulation in stocked trout at Upper Melville Pond in Portsmouth. The pond will be closed to fishing from May 4 through July 2, 2026, to protect study integrity. This is the first study of its kind in Rhode Island and results are expected next year.
What changed
Rhode Island DEM and RIDOH announced a collaborative research study with EPA, Roger Williams University, and the Town of Portsmouth to track PFAS accumulation in stocked trout tissue at Upper Melville Pond (Thurston Gray Pond) in Portsmouth. The ponds were formerly used by the US Navy as drinking water reservoirs and are located near a former firefighting foam use site where elevated PFAS levels were detected. DEM will anesthetize and fin-clip stocked fish, collect samples every two weeks, and test water and sediment alongside RWU and EPA laboratories.
Upper Melville Pond will be closed to fishing from May 4 through July 2, 2026. Lower Melville Pond will remain open but will not be stocked. Fishermen should plan alternative fishing locations during the closure period. Results, expected next year, will guide efforts to minimize PFAS exposure and may inform future fish consumption advisories.
Source document (simplified)
Study to Examine PFAS Impacts on Stocked Trout - Upper Melville Pond will close for Fishing
Published on Monday, March 30, 2026
PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announce a collaborative study with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Roger Williams University (RWU), and the Town of Portsmouth to examine Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) accumulation in stocked trout.
The study will be conducted from May 4 through July 2 at the Upper Melville Pond (also known as Thurston Gray Pond) in Portsmouth. To protect the integrity of the study, the pond will be closed to fishing during this timeframe. The timing of this study was chosen to prevent the fishing closure from impacting Opening Day of the trout fishing season. Lower Melville Pond will remain open to fishing during the study but will not be stocked.
Upper and Lower Melville Pond were originally built by the US Navy as drinking water reservoirs for Naval Station Newport. The ponds are located near the former Melville Fuel Defense Support Point, where PFAS-containing firefighting foam was used. Sampling performed by DEM detected elevated levels of PFAS in the Upper and Lower Melville Ponds. The study was originally planned to occur before the start of trout fishing season, but the historic Blizzard of ’26 delayed when the study could begin.
The first study of its kind in Rhode Island, it will track how quickly PFAS accumulates in the tissue of stocked fish. DEM will anesthetize and fin-clip stocked fish, work with RWU to collect samples of stocked trout every two weeks and then transport them to RWU and EPA labs for testing. Water and sediment samples will also be collected for PFAS analysis.
Results of this study are expected to be finalized next year and will help guide efforts to minimize PFAS exposure. This study is being conducted at no cost to the Town of Portsmouth. Funding is being provided by RIDOH and DEM.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter/X (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates. Sign up here to receive the latest press releases, news, and events from DEM's Public Affairs Office to your inbox.
Date
Mon, 03/30/2026 - 12:47
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