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

 Links:

My Pictures

Northbridge Gage 

River Bend Farm to Rt. 122 - August 25, 2012

It’s been one of those busy weekends, and the only time that I had to paddle was early Saturday morning.  Fortunately, Linda and Bob were able to paddle then as well. We decided to run the section of the Blackstone River from River Bend Farm to Rt. 122 in Uxbridge.  The level was low (3.5 feet) but runnable – if you were careful about avoiding the gravel banks. 

Bob running the broken dam at Rt. 16

Links:

Northbridge Gage

Trip Guide - Plummers Landing to River Bend Farm

Trip Guide - River Bend Farm to Blackstone Gorge

River Bend Farm to the Millville Rapid – May 30, 2011

Ran the section of the Blackstone River from River Bend Farm down to the Millville Rapid. We had 7 boats and 8 paddlers - 2 canoes and 5 kayaks. It was nice to have two younger paddlers in the group - Tim and Doug. Don and I paddled tandem.

Day started out cloudy and rainy, but cleared up by mid-day. River was at 3.5 ft, 525 cfs. on the Northbridge gage. There is lots of quickwater on this trip, but the highlights are the broken dam near the Stanley Woolen Mill (Rt. 16) in Uxbridge and the Millville Rapid.

Surfing at the broken dam 

It was a nice way to spend Memorial Day.

Links:
My Pictures
Northbridge Gage
River Bend Farm to the Blackstone Gorge from BRVNHC

Blackstone River - Route 16 to the Gorge - May 31st

Had a nice trip this morning with Bob B. and his son Tim. We put in at Route 16 in Uxbridge around 8:30, and took out at the Blackstone Gorge around noon - left plenty of time for an afternoon cook-out.

I thought the water below Route 16 might be a little low, but it was actually fine (3.4 ft on the Northbridge Gage; 7 ft, 200 cfs on the Route 122 Bridge Gage). There were a lot of trees down between Route 16 and Route 122, but we were able to paddle around all but two - it made for some tricky paddling for Tim who was out in a kayak for the first time. He did great. The Millville Rapid was low, but still fun.


Blackstone River - Rt. 16 to the Gorge from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Links:
River Guide from the Blackstone River National Heritage Corridor