Thursday, June 30, 2011

Mystic River Reflections

MYSTIC
("Great Tidal River")

Would Nanepashemet find today's river worthy of its name?


In planning my recent visits to the Mystic River, I found the Web site of the Mystic River Watershed Association most helpful. On their site, under the heading Mystic River History is the following:
"The name Mystic is derived from the Indian word "MissiTuk" or "great tidal river" a reference to the Mystic having once been tidal. For hundreds of years, Native Americans lived and fished along the Mystic..."
I'm left to wonder why this river can't be restored, at least minimally, to its tidal nature. While I understand the Amelia Earhart Dam (AED) was built as a flood control measure to prevent tidal flooding such as occurred during the Hurricane of 1938, I don't understand why the AED locks can't be left open and function the same as the hurricane gates do in Providence, Rhode Island. Thousands of anadromous fish could then gain passage upriver in the middle of the night without having to wait for a powerboat to sound its horn and alert the lock tender. From my observations, the river could use the twice daily flushing it is named for.  Aside from a hurricane, leave the gates open!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Further into the Mystic

After working a graveyard shift last night, I decided to trash patrol another stretch of the Mystic River before going home.  Rain showers had passed through the area at around 4 am and skies were still cloudy on my drive to Mystic Riverbend Park.  I launched at the same location as last Monday, but headed upriver this time.  By the time I reached Main Street, the sun had emerged from the clouds and a nice day was in the making (opening photo).
Trash was plentiful right from the start as were black-crowned night-herons...
These herons were seen in trees, on docks, and on boats.  Blue herons were few and far between, for a change.  Cormorants, Canada geese, and mallards were also present in good numbers.

In addition to large floating mats of lily pads there were large clumps of water chestnut plants.  Areas where folks had been removing the plants were evident.  Looks like hard work.

I kept an eye out for Rock Hill somewhere upstream of the Winthrop Street bridge, but couldn't discern where it may have been located.

Train horns drew my attention to the commuter rail bridge in time to see an inbound train cross over the river after having stopped at West Medford...

Shortly thereafter I gazed into Alewife Brook...
Though it looked inviting, I resisted and continued up the Mystic.

Not knowing how much further it was to Lower Mystic Lake, I almost turned around at the Route 60 overpass.  Instead I decided to take a peek around the next bend, and there it was...

I paddled up to the distant structures and could see the higher water level of Upper Mystic Lake...
This became my turn around point and I began heading back to where I'd launched.

Did I say that trash was plentiful?  Once my ship's holds were full, overflow began piling up on-deck...

Reaching the takeout, another good catch was unloaded hullside...
Today's haul numbered 191 pieces of trash.  There were 114 recyclable containers (27 redeemable) and 77 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags, styrofoam, nip bottles, and an open container of "Never-Seez" pipe thread coating.  My YTD total stands at 3635.
 
There's still lots of trash remaining along the banks.  I'm reminded of Bottle Bill opponents saying there's no need for a bottle bill nowadays because curbside recycling has made redemption programs obsolete.  The above picture tells a different story.


  

Monday, June 27, 2011

Into the Mystic

After hearing and reading much about the Mystic River lately, I finally took the plunge, so to speak, and paddled its lower section this morning.  The photo at left looks downriver and towards the Mystic River Bridge visible in the distance.  It was taken shortly before I turned around and began heading back upriver.
I wasn't sure if reaching this point would be possible as there is a barrier in the form of the Amelia Earhart Dam...


Not knowing the proper lock procedure, I was hanging around the upriver side when a friendly lock operator asked if I wished to pass through.  A few moments later I was sitting inside the lock, in limbo between fresh water and salt water...
 While waiting for the water level to rise I was reminded of my favorite passage in Thoreau's A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers:  "By noon we were let down into the Merrimack through the locks at Middlesex, just above Pawtucket Falls, by a serene and liberal-minded man, who came quietly from his book, though his duties, we supposed, did not require him to open the locks on Sundays.  With him we had a just and equal encounter of the eyes, as between two honest men."

Thus I was afforded the opportunity to paddle into the Mystic's salty section and take in this view of the Bunker Hill Monument...
It almost looks like the crane is getting ready to pick it up.

As I began my return trip upriver, I wondered if the Tarrantine war party came this way back in 1619 while on their mission to find and kill Nanepashemet, the grand sachem of the Massachusetts federation.  The great sachem had taken his final refuge in a fortress built upon Rock Hill in Medford  which overlooked the river.
Historians note that the Tarrantine were capable seamen possibly using small shallops they obtained from Basque whalers and fishermen.  Whether by sea or overland, they ultimately found and killed Nanepashemet.

If they were to return today, their upriver progress might be delayed until they could get the attention of the lock operator at Amelia Earhart dam...
A horn is the best method.  Not having one, I resorted to whistling and shouting.

Once through and back into fresh water, this was the view upriver...
Recently, both Will and Faith had mentioned there being a fair amount of trash in this river.  They were correct.  Empty plastic bottles were seemingly everywhere.  Most were trapped in the mats of lily pads extending out from the riverbanks.  After trash paddling about 2 miles of river, my trash laden boat and I approached the takeout location at Mystic Riverbend Park...
Once on solid ground my boats contents were disgorged...
There were 145 pieces of trash.  The breakdown: 81 recyclable containers (7 redeemable) and 64 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as styrofoam, plastic bags, nip bottles, 2 syringes, and the cool "Summerville" sign.  My YTD total stands at 3444.

Wildlife seen today were mute swans, a tern, cormorants, ducks, blue herons, and numerous jellyfish on the harbor side of Amelia Earhart Dam.

Next time, it will be up to Rock Hill and possibly Lower Mystic Lake.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Lower Sudbury and Upper Concord Rivers

This morning, I was joined by Steve and Lis for a pleasant trash patrol down to Great Meadows Landing and back.  There was a quiet hush about the river as seemingly everyone awaited the promised sunshine. 
At the Old North Bridge Lis paused briefly with the "rude arch" behind her...

Earlier, at Egg Rock, Steve checked out the inscribed rock...





It reads: On the Hill Nashawtuck,  at the Meeting of the Rivers And along the Banks  Lived the Indian owners of Musketaquid  Before the White Men came.

Steve and Lis were paddling kayaks they'd rented from the South Bridge Boat House located 1.5 miles upstream of the North Bridge.

Trash was spotty with most of the catch being in one floating plastic bag which contained 8 empty beer cans.  At Great Meadows Landing the downstream catch posed on the beach...


They would later be joined by the season's 2nd automobile tire...



Note the tire is a white-wall and all the more stylish.  A few stragglers joined this group but missed the photo.  The total catch of 22 pieces included 15 recyclable containers (8 redeemable) and 7 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as styrofoam, plastic bags, and a nip bottle.  YTD total stands at 3299.

Despite a valiant try by the sun, it seems the clouds will carry the day.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Lower Assabet and Sudbury Rivers

Trash patrolled the bottom mile of the Assabet and Sudbury Rivers this morning in misty conditions at the start and, later, in what the Irish might call a "soft rain".  It was both quiet and peaceful on the water today.
Wildlife seen were Canada geese and wood ducks with little ones, several Muscovy ducks, a lone musquash, and squawking blue herons engaged in territorial disputes with one another.
Trash found today was the usual mix of plastic, styrofoam, and beverage containers.  Some stuff was new, but most had been in the river for a while. 
Here's the gang enjoying a break on a sandy beach...
The 58 pieces of trash were composed of 16 recyclable containers (4 redeemable) and 42 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish which included my first ever yo-yo.  My YTD total stands at 3277.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Paddling Naumkeag Waters to Nanepashemet

It all started with a name that seemingly jumped off an old map.  Specifically, the map was a topography map of "Boston Bay Quadrangle" 1903 edition reprinted in 1910.  H.M. Wilson was the geographer in charge.  I came across the map while visiting the Web site of the University of New Hampshire's Dimond Library and their Historic USGS Maps of New England collection.  Here is a link to the 1903 map.  On it above Tinkers Island on the east side of Marblehead Neck appears the name "Nanepashemet" and it seems to be a rock or small islet.  Nanepashemet was a native American, and, in his day, the most powerful leader in the area we now call eastern Massachusetts.  He was the last chief sachem of the Massachusetts federation of tribes until his death in battle with the Tarratines in 1619.  John V. Goff authored an article on Nanepashemet and his struggle with the Tarratines.  Goff's article provides a wealth of information on this important historical figure including the fact that he enjoyed spending summers on Marblehead Neck.
After reading about Nanepashemet you may wonder, as I do, why he is no longer honored as he was a century ago when a grand 5-story hotel bore his name.  The hotel burned down in 1914.  The only reminder today that he once lived here is Nanepashemet Street (on which the hotel once stood).  His name was removed from the rock/islet.  Why was it removed or changed?  After all, isn't our commonwealth named for his federation?
At any rate, I poured over my maps and charts to find the same rock, and believe it is the locale now referred to as Tom Moore Rock.  
So, on this beautiful last full day of spring, after paddling over from Salem Neck, I found myself sitting just offshore of this rock and wondering if this was the spot shown on the 1903 map.  Nanepashemet?  Or Tom Moore Rock?

Paddling just a few hundred yards towards Tinkers Island brings the Boston Skyline into view...

Interestingly, about a half mile to the northeast from Nanepashemet (aka Tom Moore Rk) is Marblehead Rock...
This more prominent rock seems like a more fitting spot to carry the great sachem's name.

The paddle over to Marblehead Neck had been most pleasant. My boat was extremely happy to be slicing through the salty waves again, and my sinuses were clear as a bell for the first time in weeks.

We'd passed some scenic spots on the way over such as Peachs Point...

And Marblehead Light...

Finding my way back to Salem Neck was made easy by the large smokestacks of the electric generating plant...

Soon I was arriving back at the City of Salem's Winter Island Park location...
This was the first time I'd launched from Winter Island Park and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice a facility it is.  Easy to get to, very reasonable rates, and helpful staff.  Glad I checked the North Shore Paddlers Network listing of access sites for, otherwise, I may not have discovered it.

Not a lot of trash was encountered today.  Hardly worth a photo, but nonetheless...
A lucky 7 pieces of trash, none recyclable.  YTD total stands at 3219.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

A Pompositticut Patrol

My stint working the "graveyard" shift ended yesterday but my internal clock hasn't figured that out yet.  Therefore, while most folks were still sleeping on this beautiful Father's Day morning, my boat and I were launching into the Assabet River.  My objective was to visit a favorite locale and watch one of the last days of spring get underway.
Upon my arrival, I found the denizens of Pompositticut, including this heron, were already up and about...


 This red-winged blackbird was determined to get my attention...

and my musquash friend was bringing home some "take-out"...

These little ducklings were basking in some early morning sunlight...

Beavers have been busy trying to close off this portal...

At the conclusion of my visit, the day's modest trash haul of 19 had their moment in the sun.  They were joined by an unfortunate cell phone left behind by its owner...

The breakdown was: 12 recyclable containers (5 redeemable) and 7 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as styrofoam, a plastic bag, fishing line, and a couple of nip bottles.  My YTD total stands at 3212.  The cell phone was left at the Pompositticut Police Station.

Some very nice music accompanied me this morning including songs by Fred Neil, Enya, Mark Knopfler, and Gordon Lightfoot.  However, the most appropriate song lyric didn't emanate from my Shuffle listening device.  The Talking Heads could have best described this morning's visit to Pompositticut with their phrase "Same as it ever was".

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Danvers River - Danversport to Salem Willows and Back

Not being fortunate enough to live near salt water, today I had the next best thing: working near it.  So, after completing my 'graveyard' shift early this morning, I drove 5 miles to Danversport and launched from a very peaceful Popes Landing.  Last night's full moon had left a stellar morning in its wake.
When I last paddled this area in March, I noted that the empty boat slips reminded me of an empty daytime Drive-in movie lot.  Today, however, those boat slips were all occupied and moored sail boats presented a sea of masts.
The trip down to Salem Willows was undertaken just a little past low tide and the shallow waters were being worked by a variety of fish catchers...
In addition to these guys, numerous cormorants were seen.

It wasn't long before my boat and I were bobbing in the salty water where Beverly Harbor meets Salem Sound.  The trip back upriver was on an incoming tide that provided a nice assist.  The rest of the world was now awake and heading for work as evidenced by the many commuter trains crossing the river...

 Popes Landing, though, was still nice and quiet...

My modest trash haul of 14 pieces took a brief respite on solid ground...
There were 3 recyclable containers (1 redeemable) and 11 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as plastic bags and styrofoam bits.  My YTD total stands at 3193.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Concord River - Egg Rock to Ball's Hill & Back

Taking advantage of today's 'musquash weather' I trash patrolled the upper Concord River down to Ball's Hill and back.  Jeff and his Czech built Zastera kayak were seen at the Lowell Rd. boat launch.  We seem to be bumping into each other quite a bit lately.  Different day, different river!
While I got under way on the Concord, he was planning to paddle the Assabet River.
Shortly I was passing under a very boisterous group of youngsters perched on the Old North Bridge and approaching a much quieter Flint's Bridge pictured at left.

On the trip downriver many dorsal fins of carp could be seen in the shallows...
They appear to be the largest fish in the river.

Between Sawmill Brook and Ball's Hill I accomplished 2 firsts for the season.  An automotive tire and a empty propane tank were recovered and secured to my aft deck.  The tire's center provided a perfect spot for the tank to ride.  Sort of looked like the turret on a military tank.

The trip back upriver was pleasant and another boisterous group held the "rude arch".  They seemed to be having a great time.

Back at Egg Rock, I came upon this hapless hawk being relentlessly mobbed by crows and smaller yellow colored birds...
To be honest, I wouldn't have been the least bit upset had the hawk turned the table on his tormentors but he seemed resigned to his fate. 

The previously full trash barrel at the Old Calf Pasture has been emptied.  Thanks to whoever took care of that matter.  Also at the Calf Pasture, a nice new sign greets those who enter and reminds them that litter is not welcome...
Kudos to whoever designed this great sign!  Nice job!

My day's catch of 24 pieces posed hullside...
The breakdown: 10 recyclable containers (2 redeemable) and 14 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as styrofoam, plastic bags, an inner tube, car's tire, and the very rusted and empty propane cylinder.
My YTD total stands at 3179.