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Quinapoxet, MA

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Canada Mills to Wachusett Reservoir (The Mighty Quinn)

Class II-III
2.75 Miles
Avg Gradient 38 fpm
Max Gradient 100 fpm

Springdale Mill Rapid


Springdale Mill Rapid
Photo of Springdale Mill Rapid by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007 @ 9.4

Gauge Information

low
7.97
12/2 9:45

Min Sug. Level:  8.5 ft Max Sug. Level:  10.5 ft

River Description

The Quniapoxet is a delightful II/III stream located in Central Massachusetts approximately seven miles north of Worcester, getting its start in the hills northwest of Worcester and draining into Wachusett Reservoir.

The run is class II for the most part except for an longish class III stretch past the remains of the 19th century Springdale Mill; plus an abrupt three foot drop just downstream of the I-190 crossing.

The Wachusett Greenways Section of the Mass Central Rail Trail runs along the river for the majority of the run.

Put-on a few feet downstream of the gage. There is a wonderful surfing wave located at the put-in. From then on it is a combination of quickwater to class II down to the mill. After that the pace picks up a bit for the second half of the run.

Technical info

Put in elevation........553'
Take out elevation......447'
Total drop..............96'
Average drop/mile.......38.5'
Distance................2.75 miles
River width average.....20' ???
River geology...........???
River water quality.....Good, clarity neutral to good.
Scenery.................Woods, some old mill and dam ruins being covered up and
                        overgrown.
Wildlife................???

Amenities

Gas.....................At the intersection of routes 31 and 122A in Holden.
Convenience Store.......Route 31 by the Manning Street Intersection north of Holden.
Nearest Restrooms.......None near by.
Camping.................??
Restaurants/Pizza/etc...??

Regional Weather

Go here for a NOAA weather forecast.

Directions

Take-out - From the North or South

Take Route 2 (from north) or the Mass Pike/I-290 (from south) to Interstate 190 exit 5 north of Worcester (Route 140 exit). Take Route 140 south approximately 1 mile. Continue straight onto Thomas Street when Route 140 turns left. Approximately 1/3 mile down Thomas Street turn right on River Road. There is a flatwater take-out on the right near the intersection of Thomas and River; the whitewater take-out is one-half mile up where the river runs next to the road.

Take-out - From the East

Take Interstate 495 to Interstate 290 in the Hudson/Marlborough area. Follow I-290 west to Exit 23B in Boylston (Route 140). Take Route 140 north 4.8 miles to the Routes 140/12 Intersection (Route 140 turns right here). Continue straight onto Central Street (ie, get off Route 140). Follow Central Street, which becomes Crescent Street (after crossing Goodale Street), for 0.85 miles. Then continue straight onto Thomas Street when Crescent Street bears left. Turn left 0.9 miles up Thomas Street onto River Road. There is a flatwater take-out on the right near the intersection of Thomas and River; the whitewater take-out is one-half mile up where the river runs next to the road.

Put-In

From the take out, follow River Road along the river which becomes River Street after passing under Interstate 190. River Street turns right about 1.5 miles from the put-in where it meets Harris Street. The Put-in is about 200 feet beyond this intersection just past the River Street Bridge and a few feet below the gage. There is a small roadside parking area for the rail-trail and for river access.

Local Map - Quinapoxet River and surrounding area of Holden and West Boylston

Map of Holden, West Boylston, and area surrounding the river.  
Map courtesy of Mapquest  


StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2008-04-05 12:35:10

Search Results

Photos/Videos 1- of 15

Put In


Put In  Quinapoxet MA
(203.81KB .jpeg)

Play Wave at the Put In


Play Wave at the Put In  Quinapoxet MA
(231.23KB .jpeg)

Photographer at the Gage


Photographer at the Gage  Quinapoxet MA
(223.50KB .jpeg)

First Rail Trail Crossing


First Rail Trail Crossing  Quinapoxet MA
(306.08KB .jpeg)

Strainer Warning


Strainer Warning  Quinapoxet MA
(298.04KB .jpeg)

Second Rail-Trail Crossing


Second Rail-Trail Crossing  Quinapoxet MA
(190.58KB .jpeg)

Play Wave at the Mill


Play Wave at the Mill  Quinapoxet MA
(296.31KB .jpeg)

Springdale Mill Rapid


Springdale Mill Rapid  Quinapoxet MA
(292.92KB .jpeg)

Boaters on Springdale Mill


Boaters on Springdale Mill  Quinapoxet MA
(312.13KB .jpeg)

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Gauge

Gauge Description:

The USGS Quinapoxet Gage is located about 25 feet upstream of the put-in.

Recommended Gauge Levels

Min Sug. Level: 8.0 (estimated)
Low: 8.5 feet
Medium: 9.4 feet
High: unknown
Max Sug. Level: unknown

QUINAPOXET RIVER AT CANADA MILLS NEAR HOLDEN, [ MA ]

Current Conditions

Stage Flow Updated
7.97 121 12/2 9:45

Station Graphs


Linked Reaches

Search Results

Level Legend: Running Below Minimum Recommended Flow Above Maximum Recommended Flow Unknown
Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State River Name/Section Class Level Rel. Level Updated
MA Quinapoxet— Canada Mills to Wachusett Reservoir II-III 7.97 ft   low 12/2 9:45

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:6786
USGS Station:01095375
HUC:
Latitude:
Longitude:
Class:

WXPort

News





icon of message No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run.

User Comments

2008-04-06 03:19:48 (240 days ago)
Another New strainer near where trout brook enters on river left. This one is more obvious and will be easier to cut out as it is an 8 inch pine. Edit
2007-11-27 12:23:25 (370 days ago)
The approach to the strainer has been marked in several places as of 11/25/07. There is bright pink tape tied to trees on river right, and in about the center of the stream at the strainer. The banking on river left looks like it may be collapsing, so be aware that there may be more strainers at this spot by the next time the stream is runnable. Edit
Add a Comment

Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
0.0GagePhoto
0.0Put-InPutin Photo
0.0Play Wave at Put-InII+Putin Playspot Photo
0.5First Rail-trail CrossingAccess Photo
1.2StrainersPortage Hazard Photo
1.2StrainersPortage Hazard Photo
1.5Second Rail-trail CrossingAccess Photo
1.7Play Wave at MillII+Playspot Photo
1.8Springdale Mill RapidIIIPhoto
2.2ElevatorIIIPhoto
2.8Take-OutTakeout Photo
3.3Flatwater Take-outAccess Photo
3.3Flatwater Take-outAccess Photo

Rapid Descriptions

Gage

Photographer at the Gage

Photographer at the Gage
Photo of Tom Todd by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007 @ 9.4

The USGS Gage is a few feet upstream from the put-in.

Put-In

Put In

Put In
Photo of Put In by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007

Put-on by a small parking area for the rail trail about 200 feet upstream of the River Street Bridge.

Play Wave at Put-In (Class II+, Mile 0.0)

Play wave at put-in.

Play wave at put-in.
Photo of Skip Morris by Tom Todd taken 2007-05-20 @ 9.4

A wonderful play wave is found at the put-in.



First Rail-trail Crossing

First Rail Trail Crossing

First Rail Trail Crossing
Photo of First Rail Trail Crossing by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007 @ 9.4

The rail trail crosses the river several times.

Strainers

Strainer Warning

Strainer Warning
Photo of Strainer Warning by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007 @ 9.4

Dangerous strainers on narrow streams in the woods such are a constant hazard. This one is between the two rail-trail crossings.

Strainers

Strainer Warning

Strainer Warning
Photo of Strainer Warning by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007 @ 9.4

Dangerous strainers on narrow streams in the woods such are a constant hazard. This one is between the two rail-trail crossings.

Second Rail-trail Crossing

Second Rail-Trail Crossing

Second Rail-Trail Crossing
Photo by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007 @ 9.4

The rail trail crosses the river again. Take out here and walk downstream to scout the rapid at the ramains of a 19th century mill.

Play Wave at Mill (Class II+, Mile 1.7)

Play Wave at the Mill

Play Wave at the Mill
Photo of Play Wave at the Mill by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007 @ 9.4

Just at the beginning of the Springdale Mill Rapid is a nice play wave at the bottom of a small island that splits the river in two.

Springdale Mill Rapid (Class III, Mile 1.8)

Boaters on Springdale Mill

Boaters on Springdale Mill
Photo of Boaters on Sprindale Mill Rapid by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007 @ 9.4

This is a longish rapid with several pushy drops. It can be scouted from the remains of the mill. (Note: The mileage is approximate.)

Elevator (Class III, Mile 2.2)

Elevator Action

Elevator Action
Photo of Boaters riding the Elevator by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007 @ 9.4

Just below the I-190 crossing is an abrupt three foot drop.

Take-Out

Take-Out

Take-Out
Photo of Take-Out by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007

Park along the road at one of several turn-offs where the river runs along the road.

Flatwater Take-out

Flatwater Take-out

Flatwater Take-out
Photo of Flatwater Take-out by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007

The flatwater take-out is one-half mile downstream from the whitewater take-out. Note that the reservoir is posted against watercraft since it is a public water supply.

Flatwater Take-out

Flatwater Take-out

Flatwater Take-out
Photo of Flatwater Take-out by Skip Morris taken 20 May 2007

The flatwater take-out is one-half mile downstream from the whitewater take-out. Note that the reservoir is posted against watercraft since it is a public water supply.


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Disclaimer Data Sources

USGS Page for This Station

NPS MA Rivers Inventory


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