Plummers Landing - February 11, 2024

At the put-in at Plummers Landing

I needed to stay local again this weekend. When I saw a post from José on the RICKA Flatwater message board, I decided to join her for a run on the Blackstone River from Plummers Landing. While I was scouting the take-out at the Stanley Woolen Mill, I saw Bob and Ozzie who would be poling upstream.

I met José at the Plummers Landing put-in on Church Street, and we decided to do the run down to the Tri-River Medical Center at River Bend Farm. The river was at a nice level – 4.2-feet on the Northbridge gage.

Running the twists and turns

This section of the Blackstone is in a considerable state of flux with the river constantly eroding its banks and creating new channels. About a mile downstream, the river has breached the old Blackstone Canal on the right, and much of the water now flows down the old canal trench - stay left to remain in the river. From there the river twists and turns, and it is a challenge to maneuver around the s-turns and through the strainers.There was one strainer that we needed to portage.

Eventually, we entered the calm water of Rice City Pond and paddled over to check out the Goat Hill Lock from the old Blackstone Canal. We meandered our way through Rice City Pond and over to the take-out at the Hartford Avenue Bridge. José wants to paddle River Bend Farm next – sounds good to me. I never did see Bob and Ozzie again.

In the Goat Hill Lock on the Blackstone Canal

Links:

My Pictures

Northbridge Gage

Trip Description for BRVNHC

Plummers Landing from Rhode Island Blueways