Plummers Landing to Route 122 – April 8, 2026

Heading downstream

I have some vacation time left, so I decided to take a day to practice being retired before I actually retire on May 1st. I met up with Bob, Dan and Rick to run the section of the Blackstone River from Plummers Landing, through River Bend Farm, and down to Route 122.

We met at 9:00 at Plummers Landing to run the shuttle. The river was at a nice level – 3.6 on the Northbridge gage. This section of the river is in a considerable state of flux with the river constantly eroding its banks and creating new channels. The river twists and turns, and it can be a challenge to maneuver around the s-turns and through the strainers. 

Goat Hill Lock

About a mile downstream from the put in, 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. 

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.

Broken Dam at Route 16

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 portaged over to the river to continue our run down to the Stanley Woolen Mill and 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.

First swim of the year

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. As I was trying to shift from sitting to kneeling in the eddy on the left, I had my first swim of the year – over I went in the squirrelly water of the eddy.

Below Route 16 the river continues to twist and turn. There were a couple of river-wide strainers that Rick was able to paddle through, but I decided to portage. We pulled into the take out at the Skull Rock Lock Trail Head on Route 122 at around 2:00.

The crew - Bob, Erik, Rick and Dan

Links:

My Pictures
Northbridge Gage

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:
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