Boston Kayaker

Kayaking on Blackstone River - from Woonsocket RI to Cumberland RI Rating: One-and-a-Half Stars - After the first mile of urban Woonsocket, the river banks are undeveloped. Water level this late August 2013 scratchy. Some short stretches of riffles near the bridges. Roads parallel to the river are on both sides can be heard but not seen. The landing at river left before Manville Dam is a renovated park.   Put in at River Island Park on   Bernon Street in Woonsocket RI. Take out left before Manville Dam on   Manville Hill Road in Cumberland RI. Estimated distance   = 4 miles Thundermist   Dam Manville Dam   Do not cross! Rapids. Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

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Other resources: US National Parks Service: Blackstone River Valley US National Parks Service: Blackstone River Guide - River Island Park to Manville Dam US National Parks Service: Blackstone River Guide - River Island Park to Manville Dam (cached copy) US National Parks Service: Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Explore RI's Blueways and Greenways: River Island Park Explore RI's Blueways and Greenways: Manville River Access RI Canoe and Kayak Association Blackstone River Watershed Association (Uxbridge MA) Blackstone River Watershed Council (Manville RI) Number of original photos on this page : 84 All photos in this website are original and copyrighted. At the River Island Park on Bernon Street in Woonsocket RI. Trip date is August 2013. River Island Park. Short portage to the river bank. At the bank of Blackstone River. Looking upriver, a fisherman. The Boston Kayaker just launched on Blackstone River from the River Island Park launch. I had my son position himself at the Bernon Street bridge directly ahead to take pictures. Court Street bridge coming up next. Some rapids before the bridge. Low water level today. Scratchy rapids. Looking back at the riffles. Two guys fishing from the shore. A canoe. The Route 99 bridge over the Blackstone River. At this point, I can hear the rushing waters falling on Manville Dam ahead. I can now see the Main Street Bridge just beyond the Manville Dam. Picture taken by my son from the Main Street Bridge. This is as close to the dam as I would like to be. Now paddling to my left to the safety of the takeout. I was on the water for 90 minutes exactly based on my photo timestamps.