| Get
on the River
Getting
On the River and Canal
[ image by Jim McElholm-Single Source Inc. ] |
The
story of the Blackstone River and Canal can be told from many
vantage points. Perhaps the best way to experience its history
and beauty is on the waterways – the main stem of the
river and its tributaries and the segments of watered canals.
Throughout the riverway, the river and canal segments form an
interesting and sometimes seamless exploration of the Valley
and its industrial heritage where you will discover the dams,
canal locks, bridges and other structures that tell the story
of “America’s Hardest Working River”. |
The Main stem
of the river meanders 46 miles from Worcester, Massachusetts to
Pawtucket, Rhode Island through urban landscapes, historic villages,
farmlands, and forests. The Blackstone drops an average of ten feet
per mile, steeper than even the Colorado River through the Grand
Canyon. That is why the river was so important for the development
of the many mills you will see along the way and resulted in the
18 dams that are still in place and present paddlers with the challenge
of several portages in certain stretches of the river.
[ image by Jim McElholm-Single Source Inc. ] |
The
river has been recognized as an early resource for native Americans
and an exploitable resource since the area’s settlement
by Europeans in the 1640’s. |
Various
mills began to appear in the 1670’s and the first successful
cotton mill in the New World, Slater mill, was erected at the mouth
of the river in Pawtucket in 1793. The Blackstone canal was opened
in1828 and ferried passengers and freight between Worcester and
Providence for twenty years. The Canal was replaced by the Providence
and Worcester railroad in 1848. While most of the canal locks were
dismantled, evidence of the canal still exists in many locations.
The almost wholly-preserved 19th century landscapes, buildings,
and villages along the river give it national significance, recognized
in 1986 when Congress established the John H. Chafee Blackstone
River Valley National Heritage Corridor.
[ image by Jim McElholm-Single Source Inc.
]
There are several
ways to get on the river and canal, including:
- Take
a ride on the Blackstone
Valley Explorer - a 49 passenger boat that docks
at several different places along the river and offers narrated
and special tours of the Blackstone River.
- Enjoy
one of the many river events that celebrate the river, its heritage,
and its renewal by checking the Calendar
of Events.
- Join
the Blackstone River Paddle Club and enjoy an evening on the River
with other paddlers. For more information, check the Recreation
section under What’s
Going On.
- Find
out more about getting involved in the efforts to revitalize the
Blackstone Watershed and join one of the many groups in their
activities on the River under ZAP!
the Blackstone!.
- Enjoy
a paddle down the river in a canoe or kayak. If you need information
on equipment rental you can look under Accommodations.
-
If you’ve got your Canoe or kayak and paddle in hand, you can download the information below to find out more about paddling the Blackstone River and take one of the following suggested trips that are based on your skill level and preferences.
Please note, some tours are listed as both 8×11 and 11X17. This refers to the paper size the tour is designed for. Tours listed as 8×11 will print out on four 8×11 sheets of paper while 11×17 tours will print out on two11×17 sheets of paper. Both formats include identical tour information and maps
BEGINNER TOURS / MASSACHUSETTS
Blackstone Gorge to Millville Lock
INTERMEDIATE TOURS / MASSACHUSETTS
Northbridge 8×11
Northbridge 11×17
River Bend Farm Beginner and Intermediate 8×11
River Bend Farm to Blackstone Gorge 8×11
River Bend Farm to Blackstone Gorge 11×17
BEGINNER TOURS / RHODE ISLAND
Woonsocket to Manville 8×11
Woonsocket to Manville 11×17
Valley Falls 8×11
INTERMEDIATE TOURS / RHODE ISLAND
Lincoln 8×11
Lincoln 11×17
|
