River Bend Farm - May 4, 2024

Visitor Center at River Bend Farm

There were a lot of trips that I would have liked to do today – dam releases on the West and Otter Brook, or camping on the Baskahegan. Unfortunately, I have to leave leave for a business trip tomorrow, so I needed to stay close to home. I decided to do the canal/river loop at River Bend Farm.

River Bend Farm is part of the Blackstone River Canal and Heritage Park – a 1,000-acre state park in Uxbridge, MA with hiking trails, paddling on the Blackstone River and Canal and historical sites like the Blackstone Canal’s Goat Hill Lock, King Philip’s Lookout and the Stanley Woolen Mill. I arrived at River Bend Farm at around 7:30, and noticed that the staff was setting up for an event. I didn’t think about it too much as I launched my boat and headed up a section of the old Blackstone Canal.

Up the Blackstone Canal

The Blackstone Canal opened in 1828 and utilized a series of 49 locks to move the canal boats up and down the 450-foot difference in elevation from Providence to Worcester. The canal operated until 1847 when it was replaced by the Providence & Worcester Railroad.

Following the demise of the Blackstone Canal, the section of the canal through what is now River Bend Farm was purchased by the Taft family who converted it to a mill race for their Central Woolen Mill. Later known Stanley Woolen Mill, it would become one of the most successful woolen mills in the country.

Down the Blackstone River

Rather than portage over into Rice City Pond, I crossed over to the Blackstone River. The river was low (3.5-feet on the Northbridge gage), but still fluid. At this level you need to be careful to avoid the gravel bars and blowdowns that block most of the fast moving water on the outside of turns. The river section went quick and I was soon at the take-out for the portage over to the Blackstone Canal.

There were a couple of strainers across the canal as I paddled back upstream, but I was able to get around or over them without portaging. When I approached River Bend Farm I was surprised to see fishermen lining the banks. Turns out today was the Family Fun Fishing Day, and the turn-out was great. I loaded up my boat and headed home.

Family Fun Fishing Day at River bend Farm

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My Pictures

Northbridge Gage