Requirements for Blackstone Valley Paddlers Events

Questions ? Contact Cheryl StoneFoxFarm@cox.net 401-647-5887.  Complete BVPC Calendar  In the event of a last minute cancellation or modification to a paddle trip, please check the Message Board as well as your e-mail and the website for updates.  

Note: Inflatable PFDs (life vests) are not acceptable for paddling on RICKA Flatwater trips or Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trips.

Check out the BVPC paddling Pictures 

BVPC Schedule:

 

June 18th. Blackstone Canal

This upcoming week's paddle has to be moved due to the high water levels on the Blackstone. We are moving it to the Blackstone Canal in Lincoln. We will be staying in the canal and off the river this week.


Blackstone Canal

A fun, scenic paddle along the bike path in Lincoln. This trip is suitable for everyone.


Directions: http://www.riparks.com/blacksto.htm


(North from Providence)
1. I-95 North to Route 146 in Providence
2. Route 146 North to Breakneck Hill Road (approximately 5 miles)
3. East on Breakneck Hill Road (Route 123) (approximately 2.5 miles)
4. Enter Bikeway Entrance on left on Route 123 in Lonsdale

(South from I-295)
1. Exit 9 on I-295, South on Route 146 (approximately 3 miles to Breakneck
Hill Road ).
2. East on Breakneck Hill Road (Route 123) (approximately 2.5 miles).
3. Enter Bikeway Entrance on left off Route 123 in Lonsdale.

Directions are provided as a courtesy to paddlers, please refer to a map before leaving for a trip.
June 25th Nipmuc River- Harrisville. Launching promptly at 6:15. For more info contact Cheryl at stonefoxfarm@cox.net or 401-647-5887.

Suitable for all levels of experience, recommended for boats under 15 feet.

Suitable for all ages and levels of experience.

This river, above the pond and above where the Clear River enters, is listed by the state as pristine water, the state's highest rating for water quality.  Note, if you choose the river route, there are numerous beaver dams to drag your boat over.

Nipmuc River Video - Erik

upper Nipmuc River Video- Erik

 

GPS coordinates for the put-in: N 41  58.258'     W071  40.738'

 



Directions from the South: Quickie directions: 146 North to Route 102 West to East Ave to Harrisville to Route 98 and the Harrisville Fishing Area just outside of town by the green bridge.

*More detail: Take Route 146 North (On 146 North, make sure you stay left when 146 and 146A split) to the Forestdale/Slatersville exit. At the top of the ramp turn right and then left at the light. This will turn into Route 102. Once you enter Burriville on Route 102, you will watch for East Avenue and a sign for Harrisville at a traffic light (it should be the second light at an intersection you come to.) Turn right and follow East Avenue all the way into Harrisville. When you enter the town you will drive over a bridge next to the dam. Turn right onto Route 98 at the next intersection. Just outside of town on Route 98, is a large green truss bridge. Park next to the bridge by the Harrisville Fishing Area Sign.


Directions from the North: Quickie directions: 146 South to Chocolog Rd. Right on 146A by Darling Farm. Right on 98 south to green truss bridge by Harrisville fishing area.

*More Detail: Take Route 146 South until you get to the Chocolog Rd. Exit. At the end of the ramp turn left onto Chocolog Rd. and head towards Route 146A and Uxbridge. By the Darling's Sewer service, turn right onto the Quaker Highway/Route 146A. Turn Right onto Route 98/Aldrich Street by the Little Texas Restaurant and the old Brick Quaker Meeting House. Drive about seven miles south on Route 98. During that seven miles, you will cross into Rhode Island. Watch for the large Sherman Farm because just after the farm is a large green truss bridge. We will be parking by the bridge. If you get to the Harrisville Fire Station, you have gone too far.



Directions are provided as a courtesy to paddlers, please refer to a map before leaving for a trip.
July 2nd- Hopedale Pond- Hopedale MA Launching promptly at 6:15. For more info contact Cheryl at stonefoxfarm@cox.net or 401-647-5887.

National Park Service Rangers will join us this evening.

Suitable for all levels of experience

Hopedale Pond, MA 
The town was settle in 1842 as a Utopian socialist commune and evolved into the home of the Draper Corp, at one time the world's largest manufacturere of automatic cotton looms. Hopedale has an area of only 5 square miles, a population of about 6,000 and is located in the Blackstone Valley. 
Massachusetts maps showing Hopedale's location.

(info gathered from http://hope1842.com/) 


Directions: From Route 146 North or South: Take Route 16 Exit.  Follow Route 16 East for about nine miles, through Uxbridge and Mendon into Hopedale. At first traffic light in Hopedale, turn left onto Hopedale Street.  Follow Hopedale Street north for about 3/4 of a mile, passing massive Draper Loom Mill on left.  Canoe launch is on left.

From Route 495 North or South: Take Exit 20 for Route 85 south.  Follow Route 85 for one mile to intersection with Route 16.  Turn right on Rt. 16 west and proceed about 2 miles to light at Hopedale Street.  Turn right onto Hopedale Street.  Follow Hopedale Street north for about 3/4 of a mile, passing massive Draper Loom Mill on left.  Canoe launch is on left, just past The Little Red Shop.



Directions are provided as a courtesy to paddlers, please refer to a map before leaving for a trip.
July 9th Valley Falls Marsh Cumberland RI. Launching promptly at 6:15. For more info contact Cheryl at stonefoxfarm@cox.net or 401-647-5887

Suitable for all levels of experience.

A very scenic paddle for paddlers of all abilities. Enjoy the scenic marsh and a paddle up the Blackstone to the Pratt Dam.

GPS Coordinates: N41 53.907  W071 23.392

Directions from Worcester

Take Route 146 South onto Rhode Island. Take 295 North to Route 114 South (Exit 11). Take Route 114 south, this road is also called High street. Take High Street all the way to the end. Turn right on Mill street and drive down to Broad street. Town Hall Cumberland will be on your right. Turn left onto Broad Street and cross bridge into Central Falls. Take first right onto Maderia Ave. Docks immediately on right.

Directions from Providence 

Take Route 146 North to Route 116. Take 116 North over the Ashton Viaduct to Mendon Road which is also Route 122. Turn right and head south along 122. When you see stop and shop on your right, turn left at the next traffic light onto Ann and Hope Way. Drive up the hill over the P&W tracks and past Ann and Hope. Turn right onto Broad Street. Take Broad street south and watch for the Cumberland town hall on your left (a Big Brick Building with yellow capped tower) - cross bridge into Central Falls. Take first right onto Maderia Ave. Docks immediately on right.



Directions are provided as a courtesy to paddlers, please refer to a map before leaving for a trip.
July 16th Stump Pond, Smithfield RI. Launching promptly at 6:15. For more info contact Cheryl at stonefoxfarm@cox.net or 401-647-5887.

Suitable for all levels of experience.

Rt. 95 to 146 to 116 South/Lincoln Mall exit (from Providence, North Providence or Pawtucket take the Douglas Pike Rt. 7 North and turn left on 116). At the Junction with 104 stay on 116, taking a left and then a quick right. Go past the police station and over the bridge that divides the pond. Immediately before the Dairy Mart and liquor store plaza take a sharp right onto Log Road. Bear right at the yield sign and then turn right into the Stump Pond Fishing Area Access.  N41 54. 043   W071 32. 479 



Directions are provided as a courtesy to paddlers, please refer to a map before leaving for a trip.
July 23rd  Ten Mile River East Providence-Launching promptly at 6:15. For more info contact Cheryl at stonefoxfarm@cox.net or 401-647-5887

Suitable for all levels of experience

East Providence on the Ten Mile River.

Driving Directions:

GPS Coordinates N41 50 879  W071 20 760

Drive to Providence, RI. Cross the Washington Bridge. For most people that means taking Route 95 through the city and exiting onto Route 195.

Once on the Washington Bridge, get into the right lane and look for the exit to Route 44. At one point Route 44 snakes around a square in East Providence, but keep following the signs for 44. By the light by the Wampanoag Mall, make a left onto Route 1A, Pawtucket Ave. Half a mile up the road, 1A merges with 114. Pleasant Street merges into 1A at a light. Stay on 1A. Another .5 miles up the road,  there will be a white church, keep following Pawtucket Ave until it splits into Pawtucket and  Newport Av, take a right into Newport Av ( A Mobil gas station will be on the left side of Newport Av and on the right side of Pawtucket Av,). 

At the next traffic light (after Hess gas station) turn right  into Ferris Ave.

Go about 1/2 mile until Ferris makes a very sharp right turn, at that point go straight into Kimberly Memorial Baseball Fields. Bear right and follow the paved road to a dead end. Launch site will be at start of Ten Mile bike path.,


Directions are provided as a courtesy to paddlers, please refer to a map before leaving for a trip.
July 30th Slatersville- North Smithfield RI. Launching promptly at 6:15. For more info contact Cheryl at stonefoxfarm@cox.net or 401-647-5887

Suitable for all levels of experience.

This trip provides a nice paddle through a flatwater section of upper Slatersville Reservoir and then a stretch of the Branch River.

GPS Coordinates: N41 59. 243   W071 36.073

Directions from North: From 146 South, take the Slatersville exit.

Take a right off the ramp onto Great Road/Victory Highway. Travel approximately 1.5 miles. Go straight through the light, continuing on Victory Highway (Route 102), and travel another mile. You'll see a DEM sign for the Slatersville Boat Launch on left-hand side. Park in the dirt lot on the left (adjacent to the Slatersville Fishing Club Parking Lot). If you get to the Burrillville town line you have gone too far.

Directions from South: From 146 North, take the Slatersville Exit. Make a left off the ramp onto School Street. Travel 1.25 miles and merge (left) onto Greene Street. Travel straight on Greene St. (which becomes Main St.) for another 1.25 miles. Take a left onto Victory Highway (Route 102). Less than ¸ mile on left is a DEM Sign for Slatersville Boat Launch. Park in the dirt parking area on the left- hand side. If you get to the Burrillville town line you have gone too far.


Directions are provided as a courtesy to paddlers, please refer to a map before leaving for a trip.
August 6th Lacky Dam and the Mumford River- Sutton MA. Launching promptly at 6:15. For more info contact Cheryl at stonefoxfarm@cox.net or 401-647-5887

Suitable for all levels of experience.

Take 146 north into Whitensville, take the exit that reads Lackey Dam Road/Whitensville. At end of exit take a right, follow road approximately 1/2 mile to the dam.  Parking is available on the service road to the dam. Paddle through Lackey Pond into the Mumford river.  

N42 06.184  W071 41.394

Directions are provided as a courtesy to paddlers, please refer to a map before leaving for a trip.
August 13th Lincoln Woods, Lincoln RI- Party and Paddle. Rentals available. Launching promptly at 6:15. For more info contact Cheryl at stonefoxfarm@cox.net or 401-647-5887

Suitable for all levels of experience.



Details to come!

Directions are provided as a courtesy to paddlers, please refer to a map before leaving for a trip.
August 20th- Providence River- East Providence RI. Launching promptly at 6:15. For more info contact Cheryl at stonefoxfarm@cox.net or 401-647-5887.

National Park Service Rangers will join us this evening.

Suitable for all levels of experience.

Access to the Providence River.

Kayak skirts are recommended for the crossing.

Leaving the put-in you will head northwest towards the hurricane barrier. On the left you will pass century old pier pilings (caution, some may be just below the surface). Entering the open water below the hurricane barrier there may be some chop,  especially with a south wind. Tidal currents are generally not a problem.  There can be swells coming up the bay in the open area. Kayak skirts are recommended for the crossing.

Rounding the corner, passing tugboats on your right, you pass through the barrier and enter the quiet Providence River. The electric company will be on your left and great views of the city ahead. After passing under the first bridge you are in and under the city. Waterfire braziers line the center of the river. The Providence court house and RI School of Design (RISD) are on your right. Passing under more bridges you come to the confluence of the Woonasqatucketand Moshassuck Rivers.

Bearing to the left you come into Water Place Park. The Providence Mall is in front of you. Paddle under the mall and the train tracks and continue up river until you run out of water. It is best to do this section at higher tides.

Directions: Take 195 East from Providence to exit 4.  Take exit 4 off of 195 east (RT 44 Taunton Ave/ Riverside), bear right towards Riverside and take first right onto Mauran Drive. Go two stop signs and turn left onto Pier St (also known as Waterfront St to right), follow past large nursing home on left and go to far end of dirt parking lot. You have arrived, enjoy!
Bold Point  N 41.813962 W 71.390233

Directions are provided as a courtesy to paddlers, please refer to a map before leaving for a trip.
 

End of the 2013 Season. Please join us on RICKA Flatwater trips!