Blackstone River User’s ConferenceSeptember 22, 2010

Canoe & Kayak AccessCompiled by Jim Plasse, BRWA

• Promote and protect recreational use of the River

• Work done as a JHCBRVNHCC, BRWC and BRWA Partnership

• The Blackstone is now a popular destination for canoeing and kayaking

Goal of The River Access Goal of The River Access ProgramProgram

• Increase Use of the River by boaters has resulted in degradation of access and portage sites

• BRWA and BRWC are working with JHCBRVNHCC to restore and protect these sites for use in the future.

The River’s Popularity Has The River’s Popularity Has Caused Some Problems Caused Some Problems

• Sections of the River can be paddled in Spring time and in times of high water in Millbury, Sutton and Grafton

• Providence Street in Millbury by Goretti’s Supermarket is a good starting point

• Access and Singing Dam portage completed with the construction of Tricentenial Park in Sutton

Upper Sections of the Upper Sections of the BlackstoneBlackstone

• The National Grid Dam in Sutton has no portage path

• Fisherville Dam in Grafton has no Portage Path– Road access at Route 122a below the dam

• Depot Street dam has no portage path and property is sometimes gated– Dam deteriorating with each major storm

Present Conditions and Present Conditions and Problem AreasProblem Areas

Most Massachusetts work has been done at sites in Northbridge, Uxbridge and Blackstone

Massachusetts Improvement Massachusetts Improvement Work CompletedWork Completed

River Access SitesPhase I / MassachusettsBlackstone River Watershed Association &MASS Dept of Conservation and Recreation

NorthbridgePlummer’s Landing (designed & permitted)Riverdale Mills (completed 2006)

MillvilleMillville Lock (designed & permitted)

UxbridgeHartford Avenue (Construction in Spring 2011)Stanley Woolen Portage (completed in 2006)Route 16 (completed in 2009Route 122 (completed in 2009)

BlackstoneBlackstone Gorge (completed in 2008)

Stanley Woolen MillsStanley Woolen MillsRoute 16 - UxbridgeRoute 16 - Uxbridge

Access SiteAccess Site

Before Completed

Skull Rock Lock SiteRoute 122, Uxbridge

Before Completed

River Access SitesPhase I / MassachusettsBlackstone River Watershed Association &MASS Dept of Conservation and Recreation

River Bend Farm Visitor Center

Plummer’s Landing

Millville Locks

Blackstone GorgeBlackstone, MACompleted in 2008

Blackstone GorgeBlackstone

Before Completed

Access and Portages in Rhode Island

• Access and portage sites exist at– Cold Spring Park, Woonsocket– River Island Park, Woonsocket– Rivers Edge Recreational Complex Woonsocket– Manville Dam, Cumberland– Albion Dam. Lincoln– Kelly House, Ashton Dam, Cumberland/Lincoln– Pratt Dam Portage, Lincoln/Cumberland– Lonsdale Drive-in site in Lincoln– Madera Street, Pawtucket

Recent Access Improvements in Rhode Island

• Lonsdale Drive-in– Steps and pathway to River completed in 2009

• Kelly House– Granite steps installed by museum in June 2010

• Albion Dam Portage– Granite steps installed in August 2010

• Sycamore Landing at Manville Dam– Site established – Plans to expand parking area

Lonsdale Drive-in Site

In Construction Completed

Albion Site

Before Completed

Completed Kelly House Site

Future Access Improvements in Rhode Island

• Develop consistent signage for these sites and other sites along the River