north river

[sashurlow]

I've only seen the North River from rt 3 (near plymouth) and I realy want to paddle it. How much of the river can be covered in a day? Is it possible to go from the Hanover launch to the Union st launch and back in a day?

I have never delt with tides, so it is a new concept to me. If I time it right, it appears that it can be downstream both ways?? How does one time it correctly?

The best info I can find from google is http://www.wtpaddlers.org/spots-nriver.html

Any other good soures of info?

Anyone interested in paddling the North River this sunday, the 22nd??? I want to try it then and would love to have someone who knows the river with me.

Thanks,

Scott

sashurlow@hotmail.com

[sweier]

Scott, I would post this on www.wtpaddlers.org (if you haven't already). There group is based on the south shore. Also go to www.nsrwa.org and click on recreation. This should have some info on tide's and destinations on the North River. When you join nsrwa you receive a map of the river and great tidal info. Hope that helps. Chip

[donperry]

The rising tide peaks at the entrance of an estuary at about the time shown on the tide tables. It moves quickly into the estuary and slowly as a crest through the rivers, particularly when they start meandering. High tide at the top of the river may be hours after the high tide at the entrance. If you have a late start you can catch the crest and pass it on many estuary rivers.

Current flows in both directions from the crest… upstream ahead of the crest (toward the top of the river) and downstream behind the crest (toward the tidal entrance).

Launching near high water from the top of the river is great if you want a good boost from the current on the way to the entrance. However you will see more mud bank as time goes on. The momentum of the outgoing flow continues past the time of low tide until it is overpowered by the incoming tide. There might be a long wait before you can ride the current back to the top. Even then you will still be looking at mud banks.

It’s a better plan to launch an hour or so before high tide near the entrance for a round trip on a tidal river. There’s a boost from the flooding current and good visibility over the mud banks. When you want to turn around the outgoing current isn’t far behind.

It’s about 13 miles along the river from the sand pit landing on Driftway Rd in Situate to the landing on Indian Head Rd in Hanover. If you launch from Bridge St. (in Norwell?) it’s about 9 miles along the river. Taking advantage of the current will reduce your paddling distance a lot.

July is a tough time to be out on the marshes because of the greenheads.

I think later in the season when the bugs aren’t such a problem is a better time for a river trip.