Boston Kayaker

Kayaking on Chicopee River Reservoir - in Ludlow MA


Rating: Two-and-a-Half Stars - The view was very nice as the autumn foliage colors are in display. The whole stretch of shorelines are tree-lined. Some houses (very few) can be seen but all are tucked away. Popular with fishermen on powered boats. The current got strong on the last quarter-mile and I have to eddy-out for breaks until I got close enough to get pictures of the rapids below the Bridge Street bridge. Rode the current back on a leasurely return paddle. The round trip took me 1 hour and 50 minutes.

  Put in at Red Bridge Road
  in Ludlow MA. 		Paddle east upriver
  and return. 		Estimated round trip
  distance = 5 miles 		Red Bridge
  Dam 		Ware and Quaboag Rivers merge
  to form Chicopee River. 		Red Bridge
  State Park

Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

Download printer-friendly
PDF version that fits in one page: 		Kayaking on Chicopee River Reservoir - in Ludlow MA

Other resources:
Paul Samson's Kayaking Blog: Chicopee River Above Red Bridge Dam
Paddling.net: Chicopee River Reservoir Kayak Trip Report


Number of original photos on this page : 91
All photos in this website are original and copyrighted.



In Ludlow MA. Trip date is October 2013.





At the Red Bridge Road launch in Ludlow MA.





The ramp to Chicopee River next to the Red Bridge Dam.


The Boston Kayaker ready to launch on Chicopee River above the Red Bridge Dam in Ludlow MA.


Just launched on Chicopee River. Looking to my left, the dam.


Now paddling upstream northeasterly.

















The river is now bending to the right.





Still bending to the right.











Chicopee River has this short straight stretch.














The river is about to bend to the left.
I can see this concrete abutment on the right.


Now veering to my left as the river bends left.





Abutment from a bygone bridge?











Another abutment on Chicopee River.
On my left is a small island.

















The current is getting stronger from here.


Have to paddle fast against the strong current.


I landed on the side to take a break and rest for 2 minutes.


Paddling against the strong current.


Eddy out on the other side this time.





Now I am close enough to see the Bridge Street bridge and the rapids.
I have reached my point to turn around.


Bridge Street bridge and the rapids just below where the Ware and Quaboag rivers merge.


One last look at the bridge and then I am turning around.


Just turned around and now paddling downstream on Chicopee River.























































































































I can see the red powerhouse over the dam.











Landed. I was on Chicopee River for 1 hour and 50 minutes.