White Rock

41° 23.673' N    71° 50.46' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

This is a site for launching hand-carried boats such as canoes or kayaks.

Description & Overview:

A dirt track running from White Rock Road down to the bank of the river provides informal/unofficial access to the Pawcatuck River for hand-carried boats. Paddling downstream from this put-in, the river is largely relatively placid, but in about a mile you will come to the broken down Stillmanville Dam, which can either be portaged on the right bank at the willow tree or, at some water levels, run via the millrace on the left, which gives you about 200 yards of class II whitewater (scout first as it is not always runnable!). Below this dam the river is tidal and runs through downtown Westerly. There is a take out on the right, 50 yards below the Broad Street bridge, at Donahue Park, and another on the left, 300 yards below the Broad Street bridge at the municipal boat ramp and parking lot. Or you can continue further down the river towards Little Narragansett Bay. The further you go down the tidal part of the river, the more common motor boats and other larger craft are likely to become.

The Wood-Pawcatuck River Guide is highly recommended for paddling on the Wood-Pawcatuck river system.

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

Location:

Town: Westerly

Nearest Town Center: Westerly

Driving Landmarks: From downtown Westerly take Canal Street north for about a mile. Look for White Rock Road branching off to the left. Take White Rock Road and go 0.4 miles. Just after you go under Route 78 (Westerly By-Pass) look for a dirt track on the left leading down to the river.

Access & Waters:

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

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

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 30 feet

Parking:

Parking: other

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? no

Sources for More Information:

Other Guidebooks: Paddle 29 in "Paddling Connecticut and Rhode Island"

Website: How to order the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association's River Guide

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