Cold Spring Park - July 17, 2025

Boat launch at Cold Spring Park

It has been a long time since I paddled this section of the Blackstone. The last time I did this trip was January 2020, and that trip included some canoe sledding. Before that was a BVPC trip in August 2012, and a video in August 2011. I don’t know if I would have gone otherwise, but Paul’s text with an offer to paddle tandem got me out.

To be honest, this section of the river had became less and less attractive over the years. There was a large homeless camp and lots of trash at the put in, the water quality wasn’t that good, and the scenery was nothing to write home about. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at the improvement on this trip.

Heading upstream

The Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone was leading this paddle for the "I 💜 Woonsocket" group that is connected to the Economic Development Division of the City of Woonsocket. They provided rental boats and asked RICKA to provide a few leaders to "shepherd" the group.

We put in at the Cold Spring Park boat launch and paddled up to the St. Paul Street Bridge. This section of the river runs along the newest section of the Blackstone River Bikeway at the RI/MA border. After that we paddled down to the Woonsocket Falls Dam and back. Trip was about 3.5 miles, and we ended right at sunset.

Sunset at the end of the trip

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Cold Spring Park - RI Blueways

Plummers Landing to Route 16 - April 27, 2025

Hole at the bottom of the Millville Rapid

With the rain on Saturday, I decided to stay local and see what would come up. Aaron was game, so we decided to run the section of the Blackstone River from Plummers Landing to Route 16.

The original plan was to run the section from River Bend Farm to the Gorge, but we scouted the Millville Rapid and found a large hole at the bottom due to high water. It was smiling at us (a good sign), but with only two of us we still decided to take a pass and run the section from Plummers Landing down to Route 16.

Heading down form Plummers Landing

The river was at a nice level for the run – 4-feet on the Northbridge gage. The section from Plummers Landing down to River Bend Farm is in a considerable state of flux with the river constantly eroding its banks and creating new channels. 

About a mile downstream, the river breached the old Blackstone Canal on the right, and much of the water now flows down the old canal trench. The canal is blocked with trees, so you need to 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.

Goat Hill Lock

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. 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. This is one of only two remaining locks – the other is the Millville Lock just downstream of the Millville Rapid.

We stayed right on Rice City Pond and paddled down the flooded-out section of the old Blackstone Canal to the stone-arch bridge at Hartford Avenue. From there, we crossed over to the river to continue our run down to Route 16. 

Running the broken dam at Route 16

Like the section below Plummers Landing, the section through River Bend Farm twists and turns around s-turns and through low-hanging trees. You need to be careful to avoid the fast moving water that pushes you into the strainers on the outside of turns.

Rather than portaging over to the canal, we continued downstream to run the broken dam at Route 16. In spite of a large strainer in the middle, there was an easy line to the left. We ran the drop and did a little surfing before calling it a day.

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Northbridge Gage

Plummers Landing to River Bend Farm Paddle Map

Urban Explorers Guide to the Blackstone River

Manville to Albion - January 19, 2025

It’s been a slow start to the paddling year for me. I got out for a couple of trips in December, but I also spent a lot of time with my mother getting ready for Christmas. Unfortunately, she fell in her house the weekend before Christmas, was admitted to the hospital, and passed away on Christmas night. Not the holiday we were hoping for. 

Since then, I have been busy with the final arrangements, cleaning out the family house and settling the estate. There is a lot to do, and it hasn’t left much time for paddling.

I was a presenter at the Introduction to Canoe Camping session put on by the NH/AMC yesterday. Working on my presentation was a nice distraction from everything else that was going on. The turn-out for the session was great, and it was fun to catch up with so many old friends and meet some new ones. It would be a great thing for RICKA to do and I think we would get a good turn out as well.

Talking about paddling is one thing, but I still wanted to get out to do some paddling, so today seemed like the day. With a snow storm predicted for tonight, it was cloudy and gray, but the temperatures were up in the 40’s. My first thought was to head to River Island Park, but the river was low. Instead, I decided to paddle below the Manville Dam.

I put in at Sycamore Landing, which is the headquarters for the Blackstone River Watershed Association/Friends of the Blackstone. Rather than paddling up to the Manville Dam, I decided to paddle down to the Albion Dam. My very first paddling trip was on this section of the river with my father back in 1989. This was also the first trip that I did after my father passed away in 2020. That day was cold and gray as well. Now, I miss them both…

Mom, Dad and Julie paddling on the Blackstone Canal in
Lonsdale at the first trip that I led for RICKA in 2006

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River Bend Farm - November 24, 2024

Lining Practice

I had some paddling options today since last week’s rain brought some rivers up. Tville my first thought. It was around 500 cfs, which is low unless you are desperate. I’m kind of desperate. It didn’t matter anyway because I didn’t have time to drive there. Instead, I headed over to River Bend Fam to do the Blackstone Canal/River loop.

The river was at 3.5 feet - low but still fluid. At this level you need to be careful to avoid the blowdowns that block most of the fast moving water on the outside of turns. I brought a rope to make a bridle and a dry bag to use as ballast and practiced lining. Otherwise, the river section went quick. 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.

Blackstone Arch

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Fall Foliage Tour at the Blackstone Gorge - October 12, 2024

Rolling Dam

I got a cortisone shot in my heel yesterday, and the doctor told me to keep it dry and go easy. I was originally thinking of a Fife Brook run with the CTAMC, but that seemed a little ambitious. Instead, I decided to do the fall foliage tour with RICKA at the Blackstone Gorge.

The Blackstone River arises in Worcester and flows south for 48 miles, eventually becoming the Seekonk River at the Pawtucket Falls. Native Americans called the river the "Kittacuck", which meant "the great tidal river." Salmon and other migratory fish were plentiful in pre-colonial times.

Blackstone Gorge below Rolling Dam

When English colonists arrived, they called the river the Seekonk, the Narragansett, the Pawtucket, the Neetmock, the Nipmuck and the Great before finally setting on the Blackstone. It is named for William Blackstone who was the first European settler in Rhode Island. He built his house - Study Hall - on the river in what is now the Lonsdale section of Cumberland in 1635 - one year before Roger Williams settled in Providence.

The Blackstone River drops 438-feet in elevation on its way from Worcester to Providence. Early settlers built dams to power sawmills and gristmills to serve the needs of area farmers. With the coming of the Industrial Revolution, the river's steep drop and numerous falls provided ideal conditions for the development of small, rural textile mills around which mill villages developed. Much of this early history can be seen along this section of the river.

Launching above Rolling Dam

We met at the Rolling Dam just above the Blackstone Gorge. A hike along the river below the dam will give you a sense of what the Blackstone River looked like before the European settlers arrived. Its banks are lined with hemlock and mountain laurel, and its rocky course tumbles over a series of three ledges and a small waterfall at the end.

We put in above the dam and headed upstream. We had 8 boats – 7 kayaks and one canoe. The river was a little low - 3.1 feet on the Northbridge gage, 6.6 feet, 78 cfs on the Rt. 122 gage. Paddling upstream from the dam is always a pleasant trip, and the foliage was just about peak. We paddle up to the Triad Bridge site.

Heading upstream

By the middle of the nineteenth century, the Blackstone River Valley had grown to become a major textile manufacturing center. That growth would continue with the introduction of rail service in 1849. With the ability to move raw materials in and finished goods out, railroads linked the Blackstone River Valley to markets around the world.

On this site, three bridges were planned to allow three different railroads to cross the Blackstone River. The lowest, the Providence & Worcester, is still in use. The middle, the New York & New England that was eventually owned by J.P Morgan, has now been converted to the bike path bridge. The top, the Grand Trunk Line, was never completed.

Triad Bridge Site

The Grand Trunk Line was brain child of Charles Hays who was attempting to establish a rail connection from Montreal to the ice-free port of Providence. Construction began in 1912. Unfortunately, on the return trip from a meeting with London bankers, Hays was killed when the ship he was on, the Titanic, struck an iceberg and sank. Construction continued on and off until 1915 when the project was finally abandoned. While the line was 70% complete, not a single mile of track was laid. You can see the concrete footings for the bridge that would have crossed this site.

Just upstream from the Triad Bridge site is the Millville Lock – one of two remaining locks from the 1828 Blackstone Canal. The other is the Goat Hill Lock at River Bend Farm. Opened in 1828, the Blackstone Canal utilized a series of 49 locks to move the barges up and down the 438-foot difference in elevation from Providence to Worcester.

Millville Lock

The canal itself was little more than a muddy ditch with paths on each side for horses or mules to pull barges. The locks used to raise and lower the barges were impressive structures. Made of granite with gates at each end, each lock was approximately eighty-feet long and ten-feet wide. Once a barge was in the lock with the gates closed, it could be raised by opening the upstream gate and lowered by opening the downstream gate.

We continued upstream into Millville below the Millville Rapid. Millville is one of the oldest, and one of the youngest towns in Massachusetts. Originally settled in 1662, it was organized as Mendon's South Parish in 1766, and became part of the town of Blackstone in 1845. It wasn't until 1916 that it was incorporated as an independent town.

Shallow water in Millville

Early in its history, Millville was small farming community. A sawmill and gristmill were operating along the river by 1725. By 1830, woolen mills lined the banks on both sides of the river. Millville would eventually become home to a large rubber mill, which would become part of the US Rubber Company (later Uniroyal) in 1892. Remnants of this industrial past can be seen in the foundations and mill races along the river.

We tuned around in the shallow water below the Millville rapid and headed back downstream. Before we reached the dam, we turned left and followed the route of the Blackstone Canal into Blackstone. It later became the power trench for the Lonsdale Company’s Blackstone Mill.

The crew at the put-in

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Rivers Day at Central Falls Landing - June 15, 2024

I spent Saturday at the RICKA booth at the Rivers Day Celebration at Central Falls Landing. Nice day, but not a lot of people at the event. Peter and I did take our boats out for a paddle up the Blackstone to the Pratt Dam, and it was nice that Paul and Fran stopped in for a visit.

Gary, Ron, Peter and Erik at the RICKA Booth at Rivers Day

Manville Dam – June 4, 2024

It was nice to get out on the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trip on the Blackstone River above the Manville Dam. We made it up as far at the boat ramp at Rivers Edge Park.  Nice night, not a lot of pictures, but a nice video from Aaron.

Video clips from Aaron Rouby's 360-degree camera

Manville Dam – June 2, 2024

Went down to the Manville Dam to check out the put-in in advance of Tuesday’s Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trip. I picked up whatever trash I could fine. Then I spent a little while carving circles in my whitewater boat.

Carving Circles at the Manville Dam from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

River Island Park – June 1, 2024

It’s been a while since I had my whitewater boat out, so I decided to do a park-and-play run at River Island Park. River was at the perfect level – 3-feet, 1,000 cfs – nice waves to surf everywhere. I was a little rusty, but it came back.

River Island Park 2024 from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

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Woonsocket Gage

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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Northbridge Gage

Surfing at the Martin Street Bridge - February 25, 2024

My original plan was to paddle the canal/river loop from Lonsdale to Ashton. I got down to the put-in and had a surprise – the canal was frozen. Well, it is still winter after all. Instead, I ended up surfing at the broken dam below the Martin Street Bridge. The level was great, and it is always fun to surf in my Yellowstone Sole.  Here is about an hour of paddling in about two and a half minutes.

Martin Street Bridge from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

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

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Northbridge Gage

Trip Description for BRVNHC

Plummers Landing from Rhode Island Blueways

Manville Dam - January 6, 2023

I was camping on New Year’s Eve, so I didn’t do my traditional New Year’s Day paddle this year. I finally got out today for my first trip of 2024 - stroke practice in my whitewater boat down at the Manville Dam. When I arrived I was surprised to find the cove near the boat launch iced over. I was able to break through the ice and get out into the open water above the dam, and spent about an hour practicing strokes before calling it a day.  Not much, but the start of a new year!

River Island Park - August 26, 2023

RICKA's joint Flatwater/Sea Kayak trip that was scheduled for today got cancelled due to potential thunderstorms, so I decided to do an early morning run in my whitewater boat down at River Island Park. The river was at a nice level - 3', 1,000 cfs. No pictures, except this on the way back.

On the walk back to River Island Park

River Island Park - August 13, 2023

The sea kayak trip that I was going to do yesterday got cancelled due to potential wind and thunderstorms. Probably just as well - I was pretty tired anyway. Later in the afternoon, I decided to go down to River Island Park to practice back ferries and back sets in my Yellowstone Solo. Of course just as I put in, the skies opened up and we had about 10-minutes of torrential rail. As I pulled over to take shelter under a tree, I saw this poem painted on a rock.

Sitting on the river banks
To still my heart at ease
And rest with God in thanks
With every passing breeze.

So many thoughts in time
So many questions there
A moments peace of mind
To know that love is there.

A little ways downstream I saw another one in an isolated spot up off the river.

Precious be the heart
You are not alone
With all the love you’ve got
Let your light be shown.

For love is pure as fire
And the flame of love is free
A love so to desire
For all eternity.

The poems are nice with their references to peace and love. The reason they are there is less nice. With access to services nearby, this section of the river has become a magnet for homeless camps. Back in January, the city removed a bunch of camps just downstream from here. I didn’t go down that far, but if I had to guess, I’d bet that they are back. I’ll have to check out the lower section sometime. Probably some nice poems down there as well.

I did some back ferries using a back sweep and cross back stroke. Once you get the angle set is not too hard. I forgot about the reverse J-stroke so  didn't try it. Then I tried some back sets into an eddy. I was able to do it, but I still think that an eddy turn is easier and more reliable.

Eddy Turn and Back Ferry from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Rice City Pond with the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club - June 20, 2023

Up the old Blackstone Canal

It was my turn to lead the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club at River Bend Farm. I scouted the canal/river loop last weekend, but the water was a little low and there were too many strainers, so we decided to stay on Rice City Pond.

The Blackstone Valley Paddle Club was established in 2000 by the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (now Park and Corridor). I became a paddle club leader in 2007. Over the years, the club has led Tuesday night trips throughout the summer, getting thousands of people out on the waterways of the Blackstone River Valley. We had a good turn-out for this trip with around 19 boats.

At the Goat Hill Lock

Rice City Pond 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.

We put-in at the Tri-River Medical Center and paddled upstream under the Stone Arch Bridge at Hartford Avenue and up an old section of the Blackstone Canal to the Goat Hill Lock - one of only two remaining locks. The other is the Millville Lock above the Blackstone Gorge.

Up the Blackstone River

Following the demise of the Blackstone Canal, this section of the canal was purchased by the Taft family who converted it to a mill race for the Stanley Woolen Mill. They built the dam that created Rice City Pond, and constructed new headgates to control the flow of water down to the mill.

We paddled across the top of Rice City Pond and up a section of the Blackstone River before shallow water forced us to turn around and head back to the put-in – nice night.

Heading back to the put-in

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Scouting at River Bend Farm - June 17, 2023

I will be leading the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trip this Tuesday at River Bend Farm. We will be offering two trips, so today I scouted them both. The level was 3.5 feet, but the rain will bump it up a little.

First I scouted the Rice City Pond.


Scouting Rice City Pond from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Then I scouted the Blackstone Canal/River Loop.


Scouting the Blackstone Canal-River Loop from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

River Bend Farm – March 19, 2023

At the put-in on the Blackstone River

We had a family party on Saturday, and I needed to help at the Saint Joseph’s Day Mass on Sunday, so I had to stay close to home this weekend. I did want to test out my new drysuit, so I ended up running 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.

Water flowing over the spillway dam

I parked at the Tri-River Medical Center and carried my boat over to the put-in on the Blackstone River below the spillway dam. The day was sunny with a little wind and temps in the mid-40's. The river was high - 4.5-feet, 1,000 cfs on the Northbridge gage. Water was flowing over the spillway dam, which you don't see very often.

At this level the river moves fast, and the trick is to stay in the current on the seam between the fast moving water on the outside of the turn that is often filled with strainers, and the huge eddies on the inside of the turn that will quickly spin you around. The river section went quick and I was soon at the take-out for the portage over to the Blackstone Canal.

Blackstone Arch

The Blackstone Canal opened in 1828 and utilized a series of 49 locks to move the barges 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 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 manufacturers in the country.

I was paddling against a slight downstream current as I headed back up the canal. There were a couple of strainers across the canal, but I was able to get around or over them without portaging. After snapping a few pictures of the River Bend Farm Visitor Center, I was soon back at my car for the trip home.  My new drysuit worked great - a little baggy, but very comfortable.  

River Bend Farm Visitor Center from the Blackstone Canal

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BRNHC Paddle Guide
Northbridge Gage

Millville Rapid - February 11, 2023

Millville Rapid under the Central Street Bridge

I didn’t see any trips posted for today, and the Papa Joe hike was out in Hingham, so I decided to stay local and take my canoe out for a few laps at the Millville Rapid. 

Millville is one of the oldest, and one of the youngest towns in Massachusetts. Originally settled in 1662, it was organized as Mendon's South Parish in 1766, and became part of the town of Blackstone in 1845. It wasn't until 1916 that it was incorporated as an independent town. 

Historic mills in Millville

Early in its history Millville was primarily a farming community. A saw mill and grist mill were operating along the river by 1725. By 1830, woolen mills lined the banks on both sides of the river and the Blackstone Canal had been completed linking Providence to Worcester (Millville Lock downstream). Growth would continue with the competition of the Providence & Worcester Railroad in 1847 (Triad Bridge site downstream). Millville would eventually become home to a large rubber mill, which would become part of the US Rubber Company (later Uniroyal) in 1892. Remnants of this industrial past can be seen in the foundations and mill races along the river.

My original plan was to paddle upstream from the Blackstone Gorge, but the current was strong and it was pretty windy. Instead, I drove up to Millville to put-in upstream of the Central Street Bridge. I parked on Bow Street next to the Post Office and carried my boat down to the river. The river was at a nice level – 3.8 feet on the Northbridge gage, 8.4 feet, 570 cfs on the Rt. 122 gage. I did a several runs, but wasn’t very good at catching them on video.

Millville Rapid from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

This one earned me another poem from Tom on p.net:

Sixty-four degrees of frost!!!

River bottom’s no longer tossed,

nor shaken, stirred, while on the rocks,

non-migratories stuck there in blocks,

along with depths once on the go,

now one big sheet of H-2-Nooo

you don’t take fresh air facial

or black-n-blue frost bites all glacial!

“I’m just going outside and may be some time.”

(be sure to bring the ponies in)

TW

Manville Dam - January 22, 2023

Selfie at the Manville Dam

It has been raining here on-and-off for weeks. Up north they are getting snow, but here in southern New England we keep getting rain. All the rivers were up, so I tried to drum up a crew for a quickwater run yesterday. No one was interested. Today I had some family obligations to take care of in the morning, but I did get out in the afternoon for an up-and-back trip at the Manville Dam. 

Typically, this section of the river is flatwater with very little current. Today it was cranking along at 4.2 feet, 1,750 cfs. I decided to take my kayak since it would be easier paddling upstream. It was still a slog - especially up at the top near the Hamlet Avenue Bridge. 

Hamlet Avenue Bridge - 3-miles upstream

Going upstream the boat was all over the place, and I wasn’t sure why. I assumed it was the current and tried to manage it by edging the boat. Eventually I gave in and put down the skeg. It was a lot easier. When I turned around at the top of the run I realized that I had been paddling upstream with a pretty strong tail wind, so the boat had been weathercocking. Putting down the skeg was the right thing to do.

The run was 6-miles – 3-miles up and 3-miles back. It was a gray day, but it was still nice to get out.