Blackstone Gorge - December 16, 2012

It was cold and gray today, but I still felt like paddling.  I wanted to do something close, so I decided on the section of the Blackstone River from the Blackstone Gorge to the Millville Rapids. 

I expected the water level to be low, and was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of water going over the Rolling Dam – it almost looked like the Gorge was runnable.  I was unpleasantly surprised to see ice on the river - not in the main channel, but on most of the side coves and offshoots.  The water temperature dropped below 40° last night for the first time this season – winter is here.    

This is a pretty section of river with lots of history.  There are numerous old railroad bridges crossing the river, one of the few remaining locks from the Blackstone Canal, and the 1828 millworks at the Millville Rapid.  Unfortunately, the battery in my camera died (again) so you will just have to take my word for it.  Here is the only picture that I got.

Assabet River – Stow to Maynard - December 9, 2012

We had a good time yesterday paddling the 5.5 mile section of the Assabet River from Gleasondale in Stow (Gleasondale Road, Rt. 62 near Rockbottom Road - 42.404478,-71.526532) to the Ben Smith Dam in Maynard (Maynard DPW yard entrance near intersection of Winter Street and Boeske Avenue - 42.425389,-71.467738).   We did it as a down-river run, but there is also an intermediate put-in off Sudbury Road (42.41156,-71.508508).  Sudbury Road is just about in the middle so you can easily section paddle in either direction. 

After running the shuttle (which always takes longer than expected), we launched from below the Gleasondale Dam.  With yesterday’s rain, we got a little bump in the water level – 2 feet on the Maynard gage. The river quickly enters pretty marshland and meanders through it for much of the trip. About a mile downstream we took a side trip (river right) through a square culvert and up to a huge beaver dam on Fort Meadow Brook.  About a mile further downstream (also river right) is an outflow stream from Lake Boon. According to Al, the best place to access Lake Boon is from the state launch site on Sudbury Road. While you can paddle up the outflow fairly close to Barton Road, there is no easy way to get up to the roadway.

We took a short break at Crow Island and watched a small plane practice take-offs and landings before heading downstream.  The trip took us about three hours and would make a nice RICKA flatwater trip.

Paddling on the Assabet River with Frank, Paul, Jim, Al and Paul

Links:

My Pictures

Al’s Trash Paddler Blog

Maynard gage

Pawtuxet River - Lauren Avenue to South Main Street - November 25, 2012

I knew that I wanted to paddle today, but none of my usual haunts caught my interest.  I checked out Jim Cole's book, and decided to drive down to Coventry to paddle the South Branch of the Pawtuxet from Lauren Avenue to South Main Street. 

I launched near the bike path where a new boat launch was under construction.  This section of the river is about 3-miles long and twists and turns through a large marsh surrounded by houses.  With leaves on the tress the houses would be less noticeable, but that wasn’t the case today.  It was cold and windy, and no matter which way I paddled, I always seemed to be paddling into the wind.  Still, I made it up the dam at South Main Street with no problem and turned around to head back downstream. 

Overall, a nice trip – I would do it again.  I need to explore other sections of the Pawtuxet.

South Branch of the Pawtuxet in Coventry

Farmington Poling – November 17, 2012

With Chuck below the Goodwin Dam

We had a nice group yesterday on the Riverton Section of the Farmington.  Chuck and I joined Tommy, Matt, Scott, Fred and Sharon on 10-mile poling/paddling trip.

This was the first trip I did with Matt and Scott back in 2006, and I had forgotten how much I like this section of the river.  It was running at about 500 cfs (400 cfs from Goodwin Dam and 100 cfs from the Still River) which is great for poling, and not bad for paddling.  Flatwater sections are interspersed with quickwater.  At higher water levels some class I/II rapids develop.  The river runs through the American Legion/Peoples State Forests.

Chuck in the High Bank Rapid

We put-in below the Goodwin Dam off Hogback Road.  The initial section was shallow and rocky, but would be a fun class I/II at higher water levels.  Matt and I poled up to the Goodwin Dam before joining the group to head downstream.  After passing the old Hitchcock Chair Factory the Still River joins on the left adding to the flow.  The river then enters the American Legion/Peoples State Forests.  We stopped for lunch at the picnic area in the Peoples State Forest before continuing downstream. 

Fishermen lined the banks as we entered the Farmington River Trout Management Area.  We got a few scowls as we passed, but most of the fishermen were OK.  The flatwater/quickwater continued down to the Route 44 bridge.  We took out at the parking lot at the Satan’s Kingdom State Recreation Area (GPS 41.8567, -72.9583).  After a beer and burger at the Crown and Hammer Pub in Collinsville we headed home.  Another great day, but aren’t they all!

Lots of different canoes!

Links:

Farmington Gage – Goodwin Dam
Still River Gage

River Island Park - November 11, 2011

Did something today that I haven’t done in ages – took my whitewater boat down to River Island Park. 

Paddling at River Island Park hasn’t been the same since my old Encore was stolen there in December 2010.  Carrying the boat back the car is a pain, and leaving it behind to walk back to the car isn’t an option either.  Today I brought the portage cart that I bought for my Adirondack trip, and it worked out great.  I wheeled the boat back about half a mile to the car.  I did get some interesting looks as I portaged through downtown Woonsocket – that’s not something that people see everyday.

The river was at t nice level – 2.5 feet, 550 cfs.  Seems like it should have been boney, but is wasn’t.  I spent some time at the surf waves at the Bernon Bridge, the Court Street Bridge, the Railroad Bridge, the Pipe and the Power Lines.  I was too lazy to drag the boat all the way up to the dam - maybe next time.

Wheeling back to my car along the flood control levy

Halloween on the Piscat - October 27, 2012

Had a good time yesterday with Paul, Jeff and Bob at the MVP/AMC Halloween Release and BBQ on the Piscataquog River in Goffstown. Release was 5.5 ft, 850 CFS.  Nice crowd as usual, and the steak tips at the BBQ were great. I was 50/50 on my surf attempts above the bridge – 4 attempts, 2 swims. It was nice to paddle with Mike Rock and to see Marshall Moore who was doing some poling down by the take out. Great day as always.

MVP/AMC Halloween Release/BBQ from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Wood/Pawcatuck Foliage Tour - October 21, 2012

The rain took most of the foliage off the trees, but it was still nice to get out for Jim’s annual fall foliage trip on the Wood/Pawcatuck.  We had 17 boats paddling the section from  Alton to Bradford. With the rain on Friday, the river was at a nice level and relatively fast - even the broken dam at Burdickville had water (3 feet, 500 cfs on the Wood River Junction gage).  We stopped for lunch at the Burlingame campsites and pulled into Bradford around 1:30. Quick trip - nice day.


The Broken Dam at Burdickville from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Links:
My Video
My Pictures