Acton to Concord via the Assabet River

Thanks to Monday morning's deluge there was just enough water remaining in the Assabet River to allow my boat and me to slide on down from the Acton Canoe Launch to river's end at Egg Rock in Concord.  With a gauge height (at Maynard) of 1.82' there were still several spots where my boat required coaxing to surmount moss-covered rocks.
   
For me, an entire downriver trip such as today's was a nice departure from my usual up and back paddles...sort of like eating "lazy man's lobster".

The broken dam at Damonmill was about as tranquil as I've ever seen it.  After sliding through, I turned about and snapped this photo of the opening...

Below the dam, I'd no sooner passed under Route 62 than I came upon this fellow on the river's west bank...

Numerous blue herons and belted kingfishers were also seen.

At West Concord I passed under Route 62 for the third and final time...

Traffic on the Assabet was light this morning.  Only 2 other kayakers were encountered, and they were going upriver.  At Lowell Road some folks from Middleton were getting ready to paddle in that direction as well.

My morning's trash haul...

There were 33 recyclable containers (4 redeemable) and 47 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish such as a small inflatable boat, window screening, plastic bags, and Styrofoam.  YTD = 3594