Water contamination to blame for cancellation of Downtown Paddle in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council said Friday that the Downtown Paddle has been canceled.

The boat launch was set to kick off in Providence at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

“Unfortunately, due to recent rainfall, the amount of sewage outflow into the river reported by the Narragansett Bay Commission is at an unhealthy level for the next 48 hours,” the council tweeted.

The event will be rescheduled, but a date was not immediately released.