Narrow and Swift vs Wide and Slow

This past week I paddled bits of Nashua River's two branches in Lancaster, MA, and a few days later got out on the Sudbury River in Wayland, MA.  The difference in conditions between the Nashua and Sudbury was considerable. While the two branches of the Nashua were flowing swiftly due in part to their narrow, winding, and shallow nature, the Sudbury River was found to have widened to accommodate the additional water thus diffusing much of its current.  

On Wednesday I launched in Lancaster near the "Meeting of the Waters" where the two tributaries of the Nashua River converge for their journey north to the Merrimack River.  Headed up the north branch first which flows down from Leominster and Fitchburg...

...working against a strong current, especially at the outside of bends, for about 2 miles.   

Once back at the "Meeting of the Waters" I paddled up the south branch flowing down from Clinton for about 3/4s of a mile...

...and noted the current being not quite as strong as on the north branch.  Also noted less trash on the south branch.

Arrived back at the takeout just in time to see this CSX 80+ car freight train (427) led by locomotive  478 and two helpers beginning to cross over the north branch on their way from Maine to Worcester and ultimately Selkirk, NY...

Trash gathered up included 26 miniature (50ml) plastic bottles...

Wrapped up the month of March with a paddle yesterday on the Sudbury River in Wayland, MA where the river was wider than usual...

...allowing easy access into Heard Pond...

Encountered this pair of osprey near Pelham Island Rd...

 

Trash from Friday's paddle on the Sudbury included 15 miniature (50 ml) plastic bottles...