Saturday, April 19, 2008

Patrolled Assabet - Egg Rock to Blowdown

The Assabet River was fairly busy today, as it should have been, considering the fantastic weather and ideal paddling conditions. Probably, the most paddlers I've seen on this river in a single day.

Heading upriver, one thing noticed is that Dodge Rock has popped back up above the surface. This is the first I've seen of it in about 1 1/2 months. It should serve as a reminder that the nice water levels we have now, won't be around too much longer.

Didn't see too much trash until after passing under Route 2. Picked up a few bottles, etc. in West Concord. Paddling under the Pine Street bridge is still possible. Staff guage was around 2.7.

More bottles near Thoreau School. Current is still running strong up to the large blowdown near Westvale. At this point, it's either portage or turn around. Turn around is what I did and began making the easy paddle back to Egg Rock. At that spot, a young fellow in a canoe with his father yelled out "Hey Mister, How come you got all that junk on your boat?" I replied something to the effect of saving for a MacDonalds 'Happy Meal'. He seemed inspired to then get some junk of his own. Reached my take out location with 20 pieces of trash for the day, bringing my YTD total to 971. Could there have been any better place to be today? Not for me!

No comments: