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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Plummers Landing to River Bend Farm Paddle Map

Urban Explorers Guide to the Blackstone River

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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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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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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Rice City Pond with the BVPC – June 28, 2022

Hartford Avenue Bridge

For the past two weeks I was out for weeknight whitewater trips with the CTAMC at Tville. This week, I led a flatwater trip with the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club at River Bend Farm.

The Blackstone Valley Paddle Club was established in 2000 by the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (now Park and Corridor) as a way to get folks out on waterways of the Blackstone River Valley. Over the years, the club has continued weekday trips (usually on Tuesday evenings) throughout the summer, getting thousands of people out on the water. We had a good turn-out for this trip with 25 boats including 5 canoes. 

Up the Blackstone Canal

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.

Usually, we offer the opportunity for paddlers to do either the River/Canal Loop, or Rice City Pond. I scouted the River/Canal Loop over the weekend, and found it low and tricky in spots. The current often takes you into strainers that can be difficult to avoid. The bottom of the canal was also green with duckweed. We decided to skip the River/Canal Loop and just do the trip to Rice City Pond. Even with Monday’s rain the water level was still low – 2.5 feet on the Northbridge Gage. 

Bob poling up the shallows

We put-in at the Tri-River Medical Center and paddled upstream under the Stone Arch Bridge at Hartford Avenue. After paddling under the bridge there are great views of Rice City Pond with the rolling hills upstream. We paddled 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. Unfortunately, it was too shallow to get such a big group up to see the lock itself.

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. 

Heading up the Blackstone River

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. They built the dam that created Rice City Pond, and constructed new headgates to control the flow of water down to the mill. The Central Woolen Mill, later known as the Stanley Woolen Mill, would become one of the most successful woolen manufacturers in the country.

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.

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Rice City Pond from RI Blueways

Scouting River Bend Farm – June 25, 2022

I’ll be leading the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trip at River Bend Farm on Tuesday, so I went out today to check it out. We usually do two separate trips here – one group paddling the canal/river loop, the other paddling Rice City Pond. First I paddled around Rice City Pond - it was low in spots (2.6 feet on the Northbridge gage), but fine as long as I stayed in the main channel. Then I paddled the canal/river loop - it was low with several difficult strainers, and the bottom of the canal was green with duckweed. We decided to skip the canal/river loop and just paddle Rice City Pond.

Great Blue Herron in Rice City Pond

River Bend Farm - May 21, 2022

My first thought was to paddle Tville with Paul, but they were starting a little late. My second thought was the Upper Wood River with RICKA, but even that would take most of the afternoon. I had some family stuff to do this afternoon, so I decided to do a local run at River Bend Farm.

The level was 2.8 on the Northbridge gage – a low but fluid level. This is a tricky little run with lots of twist and turns. In many places, the current pushes you into trees hanging into the water on the outside of bends. I am supposed to lead a BVPC trip here in June, but if the level is much lower we will probably stay off the river.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so no pictures.

River Bend Farm - September 12, 2021

Jim and Phil head downstream

I had family obligations this weekend, so I stayed close to home and did an early morning run at River Bend Farm. The river was at a nice level – 4.5 feet on the Northbridge gage after peaking at over 10 feet after Hurricane Ida. I put in at the Visitor Center and paddled up to the Goat Hill Lock in Rice City Pond before crossing over for the run down the river. I met a couple of kayakers (Jim and Phil) as I was beginning the river run, so I ran the river section with them.

Hartford Avenue Bridge

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River Bend Farm - April 2, 2021

River Bend Farm Visitor Center

It’s always tough to get out on Easter weekend. This year I had Thursday and Friday off from work, so I was able to sneak out for an early morning run at River Bend Farm. It was a brisk 29° when I put my boat in the water at the Visitor Center. The level was OK – around 3.7 feet on the Northbridge gage. There are a few tricky strainers on the river, but a nice run just the same.

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Flatwater Leader Training - June 8, 2019

Classroom session

I spent the day running a flatwater leader training for the Blackstone River Heritage Corridor and RICKA at the River Bend Farm.

We met at 10:30 in the conference room in the visitor center for the classroom session on Trip Planning and Logistics. After a break for lunch on the patio (pizza from Harry’s), we went out to the river for the on-water session. We did the canal/river loop starting from River Bend Farm. The river was low (3.2 feet) but runnable. We also did demonstrations with tow ropes and throw bags.

We had 14 for the class and 12 for the paddle - no swims!

On the river

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Back to River Bend Farm - June 12, 2018

We had a good turn out for the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trip at River Bend Farm. We had 13 boats on the canal/river loop, and probably the same on Rice City Pond. The river was 3 feet, and everyone seemed to be bottoming out. 

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Northbridge Gage

River Bend Farm - June 9, 2018

Rice City Pond

I’m leading the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trip at River Bend Farm this week, so I went up to scout it out. The river was just over 3’ on the Northbridge gage.

I paddled up into Rice City Pond as far as Lookout Rock. It was low, but OK if you stayed in the main channels. The river was low, but with good current, including the usual tricky side currents. The water in the canal was covered with pollen, but as you move upstream it clears up. No greed duckweed yet.

I brought my camera, but I forgot to put the memory card in. Guess how many pictures my camera will hold without the memory card - just two, so here they are.

Stone Arch Bridge at Hartford Avenue

Another 50°Day – River Bend Farm to the Millville Rapid - January 27, 2018

Broken Dam at Route 16

We had another nice warm day, and Jonathan and Conrad were willing to head south to paddle the nine-mile section of the Blackstone from River Bend Farm in Uxbridge to the Millville Rapid in Millville. The day was warm, the river was up (4 feet, 500 cfs), and the winds were gusting up to 40 mph. 

The first half of the trip is quick water as the river twists and turns through the woods. After it absorbs the Mumford and West Rivers about half way down, the Blackstone opens up and there is more flatwater. There are two small rapids that get all the attention - the Broken Dam at Route 16, and the Millville Rapid at the end. Here I am with Bill running the Millville Rapid.


Millville Rapid from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

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River Bend Farm - August 12, 2017

Visitor Center at River Bend Farm

With the RICKA crew off to the Adirondacks, there weren’t any local trips planned this weekend.  Traveling wasn’t an option, so I posted a trip on the Flatwater Massage Board for a canal/river run at River Bend Farm.

River Bend Farm was the former Vose Farm, and is now the Visitor's Center for the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park. It’s a popular place to hike or paddle with great views of the Blackstone Canal, the stone arch bridge at Hartford Avenue, Rice City Pond and the Stanley Woolen Mill.

Portage into Rice City Pond

I met up with Mike and Bill at 9:00 at the Visitor Center.  From there, we paddled up the Blackstone Canal before portaging over to Rice City Pond. The pond itself was shallow, so we paddled up the old canal to the Goat Hill Lock before turning around and heading back to the river. 

The Blackstone River was low but fluid - 3 feet on the Northbridge gage.  We crossed over at the dam and headed downstream.  Even at a low level, the river can be tricky with lots of twists and turns and low hanging trees. We crossed back over to the canal above the Stanley Woolen Mill for the trip back to the take out – nice morning.

Quickwater on the Blackstone River

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Trip Guide from BVHC

Pummers Landing to the Stanley Woolen Mill - May 7, 2016

Linda heads down stream

Personally, I’d much rather be paddling boats than repairing them.  When I do repair work, my lack of practice often shows.  Still, there is a lot of satisfaction in paddling a boat that you have repaired yourself, so I was glad to get the Wildfire out for a trip on the Blackstone after doing some repair work on the stern.

A light drizzle was falling a I drove to the Stanley Woolen Mill to meet Linda for the trip, but the rain held off while we were on the river.  We ran the section from Plummers Landing to the Stanley Woolen Mill.  The river was at a nice level – 4 feet, 600 cfs. on the Northbridge gage. 

Linda running the Broken Dam

This section of the river requires a lot of maneuvering through s-turns and around strainers. After paddling through Rice City Pond, we portaged the dam at Hartford Avenue for the run through River Bend Farm.  We ran the broken dam below Route 16, and did a little surfing before calling it a day - good time.

Surfing at the Broken Dam

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River Bend Farm – Canal/River Loop – May 25, 2015

It was a busy weekend, but I was able to get out for an early morning paddle on Memorial Day at River Bend Farm.  I put in at the Stanley Woolen Mill and took out at the  broken dam on Route 16 – up the canal and down the river.  The river was low but runnable – 3 feet on the Northbridge gage.  Other than swarms of mosquitos, there was nothing to report on this trip.  I need to put some bug spray in my car.

View of the broken dam at Route 16

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River Bend Farm to Millville with Mike B. - November 15, 2014

Mike running the broken dam at Route 16

I had a good time yesterday paddling with one of my oldest paddling buddies – Mike B. I started paddling seriously in 2005, and I think I did my first trip with Mike in 2006. I was a newbie; he had been paddling for years. I did my fist poling trip with Mike, did some of my first whitewater trips with Mike, and did my first extended overnight camping trip with Mike.

Yesterday, Mike, Frank and I got out to paddle the Blackstone from River Bend Farm to the Millville Rapid – about 9 miles. It was a very leisurely trip. We put in at around 10:30 and got off the river at around 2:00.

Franks running the Millville Rapid

Considering how low all the rivers are around here, the Blackstone was at a decent level - 3.5 feet, 500 cfs on the Northbridge gage. Nothing tough, but there were enough twists, turns and blowdowns to keep things interesting.

About half way through the trip we broke one of the cardinal rules of paddling – staying together. As we approached a fork in the river, Mike took the left channel, and Frank and I took the right. I thought that we would reconnect just downstream, but it was probably more like a mile. Just as we were both starting to wonder what happened to the other, we hooked back up.

Temp’s were in the mid 30’s yesterday, and by the end of the trip my feet were starting to get pretty cold. Winter paddling is here! Other than that, it was a great day all around.

Running the broken dam at Route 16

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Lookout Rock – October 11, 2014

Checking out the view from Lookout Rock

Lesson number 1 – if you are going on a pre-dawn hike, make sure you know where the trail is!

I decided to try to catch the sunrise from Lookout Rock in the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage Park in Uxbridge. It was still dark when I arrived at the parking lot on Hartford Avenue.  I got my flashlight out and headed off on the King Phillip Trail, only to lose my way after a couple of hundred yards.  After a couple of aborted attempts, I decided to hike in from the parking lot on Wolf Hill Road instead.

Unfortunately, there was no sunrise due to the clouds, but the view of the river snaking through the valley below was still spectacular.

Looking north toward Rice City Pond and River Bend Farm

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Blackstone River and Canal Heritage Park

Blackstone River and Canal Heritage Park Trail Map