Thursday, September 4, 2008

Assabet River - Egg Rock to Concord Jct. & Back

This afternoon's weather was just too nice not to get out on the water. So, I did just that and trash patrolled the lower Assabet River from Egg Rock to Concord Junction and back. The Assabet's water level has dropped to the point where getting upriver is a challenge in places. The top of Dodge Rock is almost shoulder height (of seated paddler) compared to being submerged in late June. In many places the river is only 6" to 12 " deep. Several sandbars have surfaced and some are littered with old glass bottles, which means bottle picking season has begun. I rummaged through one glass bottle heap and found a small 2 oz bottle of FOSS Liquid Fruit Flavor, "Standard Quality & Full Strength" that dates to the 1890s. Also found a 8-sided bottle of Heinz.
After getting upstream of the commuter rail bridge, I swung my bow around and headed downriver, enjoying the easy glide. Encountered a doe and fawn about a 1/4 mile upstream of Willow Island at about 5:30 pm. Also saw the usual characters: great blue herons, Canada geese, Muscovite ducks, and blue-winged teals. It was one of those afternoons where I just didn't want to get off the river.
My trash count for the day was 10 glass bottles, 4 aluminum cans, 4 plastic bottles, 2 Dunkin Dounuts drink containers, and 1 cigarette package. YTD Total = 1743

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