Assabet River - Egg Rock to Damondale & Return

Today the Assabet River was trash patrolled between Egg Rock and Damondale. Water levels have dropped nearly a foot in the past week or so. Dodge Rock has re-emerged and Willow Island once again has solid ground. Skies were variable and occasionally the clouds began to darken. However no rumbles of thunder were heard and no rain ever materialized.
By the time I reached Concord Junction there were 8 pieces of trash on deck, and given the ideal water levels, I decided to see just how close to Damondale I could make it. The Pine Street bridge project appears to be at a standstill while awaiting safety railings to complete the job...

Once past Pine Street there are obstacles in the river that require a paddler to either pass over, under, or around and today's water level was just right for all three situations. This was one of the low headroom passages...

The last half mile to Damondale tripled my trash haul to 24 pieces. I pulled out of the river's strong current into the old spillway from the mill to take a little break (and opening photo) before trying to paddle closer to the partially breached dam. Returning to the current, I was able to reach the Route 62 bridge where the strengthening current began to win the battle and I let it turn my boat quickly to the opposite direction for an easy ride back to Egg Rock.
Wildlife today was Canada geese, a red-tailed hawk, a woodchuck, and the usual gang of Moscovy Ducks.
I arrived at my takeout location with 31 pieces of trash...

Of these 16 were recyclable (6 redeemable), and 15 were misc. rubbish such as styrofoam, plastic, etc. My YTD total stands at 3209.

Assabet River - Ice House Landing to Gleasondale

Today's trash patrol of the Assabet River between Ice House Landing in Maynard and Gleasondale in Stow, provided ample trash and numerous wildlife encounters such as this mute swan family. After launching and heading upriver, I paused near the mouth of Elizabeth Brook when I heard the almost constant crying of a juvenile hawk. He was on the river's opposite side but not yet visible to me. I mimicked, as best I could, his shrill whistle and he lept from a high perch and flew right at me, swooping up and into a dead tree near the brook. I paddled a short way up the brook to the area where he was perched and took his photo...

Once again I mimicked his call and, sure enough, he flew right at me again. I think he is still trying to have someone bring him voles for lunch. Before leaving the brook, I admired these pickerelweed flowers which are now in bloom...

Further upriver a solitary green-backed heron was a bit unnerved by my presence. He flew awkwardly from tree to tree several times before finally disappearing.
Near the small airfield, it was my turn to be unnerved as a small unmanned red plane was doing stunt acrobatics. Knowing there wasn't a pilot onboard (unless he was very tiny) concerned me as the plane flew straight up, stalled, then dived down to fairly close to waterlevel before the engine kicked in and the plane soared once again. The person controlling the plane could not be seen. The plane looked to be about one third the size of my boat and I was amazed at how long it was able to remain airborne.
About a half mile above the outlet for Lake Boon the river opens into a large expanse with several channels and backwaters. Deciding to get out of the current during my lunch break, I headed down this secluded backwater...

As I neared the backwater's end I detected movement on the right hand shore and turned to see what appeared to be the silhouette of a large cat looking back at me. This photo shows the opening that leads into a dark area beneath a stand of hemlocks where the animal was seen...

As I sat in my boat pondering what kind of creature it might be, I heard loud splashing behind the bushes in front of me. This was followed by considerable movement of the bushes and it seemed that either King Kong or at least a moose was about to appear. Just then the creature made his appearance as he climbed across a fallen tree that took it to the other side. Not a cat but a river otter. Not sure which of us was more spooked by the encounter.
Resuming my trip upriver, I paddled the narrow and winding section where the Gleasondale mill chimney can first be seen. An osprey was soaring overhead and emitting its unique call. Approaching the Route 62 overpass I had 65 pieces of trash onboard. Behind the snags downstream of the bridge was the mother lode that kept me busy for nearly an hour and brought my total to 117. Took this photo during the transloading process just downstream of the bridge...

After stowing most of the trash below deck, I headed downriver and was surprised to see my total for the day reach 140 before arriving back at Ice House Landing. Of these, 90 were recyclable (25 redeemable) (35 nip bottles!) and 50 were misc. rubbish such as styrofoam, plastic bags, fishing gear, and a four-foot fluorescent light bulb. My YTD total stands at 3178.

Sudbury River - Egg Rock to Weir Hill & Return

This morning was truly the calm that followed the storms of yesterday afternoon. With blue skies overhead and barely a breath of wind, I launched my kayak into the Sudbury River near Egg Rock and headed upstream towards the Nashawtuc Road bridge. Further upriver, as I approached the Route 2 overpass, I encountered this doe grazing only yards from the highway...

I was able to slowly maintain my momentum against the current while being just under the bridge, and to look backwards to take this photo. Kind of strange that while the deer and I were eye to eye, cars and trucks were wizzing by on the overpass above us, seemingly in another dimension of time and space. I was pleased that my encounter with this deer did not result in her being spooked. She continued to graze as I paddled onward.
Upstream of Clamshell Bank wood ducks were seen and heard. Eastern kingbirds were doing their hummingbird impersonations as they plucked flying insects from the air just above the water. Near Martha's Point groups of cedar waxwings were landing on the floating leaves of water chestnut plants and using them for platforms while catching insects. These small birds have a yellow band across the base of the their tails.
Moving past the waxwings brought me to the tree swallows and their displays of acrobatic skill. Occasionally, the loud squawking of a great blue heron would be heard as it flew in to see what all the little guys were up to. A few small sandpipers were also seen using the floating mats of water chestnut leaves as a feeding platform. A belted kingfisher and a couple of red-winged blackbirds were also observed.
At Pantry Brook I expected to see quite a bit of water flowing over the dam as a result of yesterday's two heavy rain events. What I found more resembled a speedbump than a waterfall...

The gauge showed about 5.2 in the brook and 4.8 in the river. The speedbump was the creation of some local beavers as they've built a dam of sticks and mud on top of the man-made one of steel sheet-piling.
Reaching my turnaround point at Weir Hill I went ashore and stretched my legs on the trail before beginning my downriver trip. At this point I had only 1 piece of trash on board. As I paddled, now with the flow, a nice breeze was stirring and made for some pleasant paddling. This view just downstream of Martha's Point was also appreciated...

To reach my takeout location required passing through a flotilla of folks paddling rented canoes and kayaks. One group of 4 boats decided to hold a conference upstream of a bridge and smack dab in the middle of the channel, their boats sideways to the flow. They appeared oblivious to the logjam they were creating and I actually felt bad for the powerboaters who were trying to get past the bridge and upriver. Perhaps these paddlers were on the river for the first time and unaware that it is a navigable waterway.
A group of bloodthirsty mosquitoes were waiting for me and my modest trash haul at our takeout location. Their presence required a nimble and quick landing followed by an equally nimble and quick dash to an open area in the sun. There the dozen newly adopted pieces of refuse posed for a photo...

Of the 12, 5 were recyclable (2 redeemable) and 7 were misc. rubbish (mostly plastic bags). My YTD total stands at 3038.
Today's paddle helped to prepare this paddler for the upcoming Bird Island Challenge to be held in Buzzards Bay on August 9th. The event is a fundraiser for the Gleason Family YMCA in Wareham and helps provide access to YMCA programs for families unable to afford them.

Concord River - Egg Rock to Davis Hill & Return

Trash patrolled the upper Concord River today under a moody summer sky. It was one of those days where the clouds were welcome guests in that they helped to keep the hot sun in check. After launching near Egg Rock I headed downstream with a swift current and southwest breeze at my back. The little white flowers of buttonbush were abundant along both sides of the river.
Passing swiftly under Flint's Bridge I noted 8 or 9 guys hard at work on the bridge rebuilding project.
Most of today's trash was recovered after leaving the river's main channel and paddling into the flooded areas amidst the trees. Near the 'ghost ship', upstream of Great Meadows Landing, nearly a dozen pieces of trash were found. While I patrolled the river an osprey patrolled the skies near Ball's Hill. By the time I reached my turnaround spot at Davis Hill 35 pieces of trash were onboard.
The trip back upriver was against a steady opposing current. I could escape the current by paddling amidst the trees where, in addition to many pieces of trash, I came upon this sizable cluster of cardinal flowers...

At Saw Mill Brook access was possible to this nice little cabin perched alongside the brook...

Downstream of Flint's Bridge a 36-pack container of Coors Light was found floating. It was a soft-pack cooler with a zipper top. Unfortunately, only 4 of the original 36 cans remained inside.
The Calf Pasture, across from Egg Rock, provided an ideal location to allow today's captives to stretch their legs before we reached our actual takeout spot which is just a little too buggy for any dillydallying...

My count for the day was 57. Of these 31 were recyclable (16 redeemable) and 26 were misc. rubbish such as plastic bags, styrofoam, bicycle tire/tube, and fishing gear. My YTD total stands at 3026. Note: Clicking on any picture will display a larger image.

Sudbury River - River Rd. to Greenways & Back

With one eye on the sky for looming thunderstorms, I launched into the Sudbury River at River Road in Wayland late this morning. The river was high and so was the air temperature and there was a nice breeze out of the southwest. It really felt like summer! Decided to head upriver, not being sure how far I might make it, before having to turn back. Nearing Route 20, I encountered this cormorant. He took flight before I could ask if he'd seen an up-to-date radar. The Route 20 bridge project appears to be nearly complete and it looks good. At the Pelham Island Rd. bridge I encountered the day's mother lode of trash. High water levels had lifted quite a bit of trash out of the bushes and the same high water levels allowed me access to the flotsam. By the time I left this area, 75 pieces of trash were onboard. I paddled another mile or so up to the bend in the river at Greenways where I turned around and headed downstream.
Arriving back at River Road, I decided to paddle down the river's original course under the 4-arch stone bridge by the Wayland Country Club. There was just enough headroom for me to pass under...

I continued downstream to the point where the old channel connects with the new. Hearing an engine running I looked further downstream to see two men operating an invasive plant harvesting machine...

The machine was being used to remove water chestnut plants or perhaps watermilfoil...

After checking out the process, I turned around and headed upriver to my take out location at river road. My trash count for the day was 91. Of these 68 were recyclable (37 redeemable) and 23 were misc. rubbish such as styrofoam and plastic bags. Here they are assembled on terra firma...

My YTD total stands at 2969.

Assabet River - Egg Rock to Nashoba Brook & Back

I was up before the sun this morning and after launching into the Sudbury River, I paddled down to Egg Rock in time to see it rising above the Lowell Road bridge. With a dozen pieces of trash from the lower Sudbury already on my deck, I began my backlit ascent of the Assabet River. Due to, yet another, 2" plus rain event the river was chugging and just barely staying within its banks. Dodge Rock was nowhere to be seen and Willow Island was awash. Trash was plentiful and quite a few pieces were riding the mid-stream current requiring only a quick grab as they drifted by. By Spencer Brook a second dozen had been added and by Route 2 a third. The worst offender of the day was a 1-quart plastic container half full of used motor oil.
Wildlife was represented by great blue herons, Canada geese, and a few ducks.
Only one other boater was encountered on the Assabet, another early bird kayaker.
At the mouth of Nashoba Brook, I turned around and began my swift ride downstream. With the river so much bigger than usual, the Route 2 bridge looked relatively small...

Arriving back at Egg Rock and heading upriver on the Sudbury, it was interesting to note that the Sudbury's current was only half as strong as the Assabet's.
By 9:30 am, I was back at my takeout location with 56 pieces of trash. Of these, 30 were recyclable (7 redeemable) and 26 were misc. rubbish such as plastic bags and styrofoam. The group posed in the sun before hopping into my car's trunk...

My YTD total stands at 2878.

Sudbury River - Little Farms to Indian Pt. & Return

Returning back to SuAsCo waters late this morning, my plan was to trash patrol the Sudbury River above the Saxonville Dam. I first drove from work to the Fenwick Street Dam site to find no parking area. It looked as though a guard rail had been installed thus preventing vehicle access. So, I headed over to Little Farms Road and launched into the still swift flowing Sudbury about a half mile below the dam. Skies were cloudy but showing signs of improvement. Trash was plentiful! It took only about a mile to have my deck capacity full and transloading to the ship's hold was required. One item that could not be brought onboard was this sofa...

I'm sure there must be an interesting story as to how it ended up in the river. It resides downstream of the Stone Bridge and before the point where the river takes a hard right turn at a ridge line. If there was a matching love-seat, I didn't see it.
As usual herons, tree swallows, and belted kingfishers were in the neighborhood. A hawk was heard but not seen. The cardinal flowers are starting to bloom...

Seems a little early for them to be so red.
At Indian Point I turned around and began the trip back upriver with a trash count of 85. By the time I reached my takeout location the total for the day was 118. Of these, 78 were recyclable (26 redeemable) and 40 were misc. rubbish such as plastic bags, spray cans, a bicycle inner tube, and styrofoam. They posed for a group photo on making landfall...

They were an unruly bunch and I was glad to see them on their way. My YTD total stands at 2822.