Blackstone River and Canal near Front Street

41º54'41" N    71º24'29.02" W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

This is a site for launching hand-carried boats and it is also a portage. This typically means that to continue paddling down the river past this site you will have to portage your boat around a dam or other obstruction.

Comments & Overview:

This site offers multiple choices. You can put into the canal at the end of the access road and paddle north for up to 2.6 miles, where the canal ends at the Blackstone River State Park. You can also carry along the bike path across the dam and then turn right and look for the steps down to the river below the dam, where you can put in and paddle downstream. It is about an 800 foot carry across the dam and down to the river, so be prepared for a hike! Below here the river is broad and slow and in a 1.5 miles you will come to the scenic Lonsdale Marsh. Turn right into the marsh to explore and look for wildlife, or continue for another half mile to the take out at Broad Street.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to paddle through the stone arches of Pratt Dam. Paddling through the arches is not recommended for anyone.

This site provides access to the following water bodies in the Blackstone River watershed: Blackstone River.

Location:

Town: Lincoln

Nearest Town Center: Lonsdale

Driving Landmarks: From Route 146 North or South:
- Take the exit for Breakneck Hill Road/Route 123. From 146 North, turn RIGHT onto 123. From 146 South, turn LEFT.
- Go East on 123, straight through the intersection with Route 126.
- Turn LEFT into the Blackstone River Bikeway parking area marked with a blue RI DEM sign.
(These directions were adapted from the very useful Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor guide to the river and the bike path in this area)

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: dam, whitewater, flatwater/slow moving river, canal

Note: Because one boat launch can access, say, both a lake and a river or both the upstream and downstream portions of a river, not all paddling trips at a given site will necessarily encounter all of the features listed.

Type of Access: Boat launch for hand carried boats

ADA Accessible Boat Launch? no

Shoreline: Stairs leading down the canal.

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 50 feet

Portage Length: 900 feet

Parking:

Parking: parking lot, 50 spaces

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? yes

Sources for More Information:

Other Guidebooks: Paddle 31 in "Paddling Connecticut and Rhode Island"

Website: A detailed map and guide put out by the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor with information about the river and bike path between Ashton and Central Falls

Website: Blackstone Heritage Corridor National Park - Get On the River Page, with links to various maps and related information

Ecological, Cultural & Recreational Attractions:

The Blackstone Valley Bike Path runs right past this site.

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