This year, in a reverse of his Paddle-a-thon 2020 walk (pictured above) Joel Hariton will head downhill and downstream, from pond to sea – without skateboard.
Joel Hariton of Topsfield is participating in Paddle-a-thon 2021 and invites you to join him. Register today or donate to Paddle-a-thon 2021 on behalf of he and Henrietta herring.
“Celebrating progress towards the return of the herring run in the Ipswich River, I will repeat the Herring Walk from 2020, with a few twists. The direction will be reversed, and a few other adjustments made. I hope you can support this effort with a contribution to Paddle-a-thon 2021. From the Alpine waters of Hood Pond, elevation 60 feet AMSL according to Google Earth, this year I will assist Henrietta Herring, younger sister of Harry (see above), find her way to the sea.
Both the State of Massachusetts and the Ipswich River Watershed Association continue efforts to enable the introduction of herring to Hood Pond and clear a reliable path for the herring run. New culverts, new fish ladders and possible dam removal will not only make it possible for them to make it to the Atlantic Ocean, but to return to Hood Pond when they are mature, and ready to spawn.
Centuries ago, perhaps a million herring returned to Hood Pond each year, after surviving years at sea avoiding schools of larger fish and mammals that roamed offshore. In the 1600s, however, mill dams were built in downtown Ipswich, at the Willowdale site in Bradley Palmer Park, and near the mouth of Howlett Brook, near my home.
In the next year or so, new fish ladders will be installed at the Willowdale site near Foote Brothers, and by the dam on Howlett Brook. The dam in downtown Ipswich, which currently has a functional fish ladder, may also be removed entirely at some time, making a more swimmable path for fish.
Last year, I carried Harry the herring to Hood Pond tracing the old migratory path up the Ipswich River from its mouth at Pavilion Beach, to Howlett Brook and Pye Brook to where he hatched. This year Henrietta, designed by my granddaughter, will accompany me downstream. So, Harry can stay pasted to the wall behind Rachel’s desk at Riverbend.
The route from Hood Pond to the ocean is mostly downhill, so the 14 miles should be a bit easier than last year. Accordingly, I will attempt to walk it all in one day to support the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Since no herring ever had the assistance of a paddle or any type of wheeled technology, there will be no car, truck, bike or skateboard involved.
Just like last year, I will approximate the route of the herring run by walking on nearby public roads, except for one beautiful stretch of trail along the Ipswich River that runs through Bradley Palmer State Park. Overall, the trek passes through scenic portions of Topsfield, Hamilton and Ipswich. The route is beautiful, and I recommend it to all.
Here is my itinerary for 2021:
3 Pond Street, Topsfield, MA to Pavilion Beach, Ipswich, MA
To donate on my behalf, enter “Joel’s Herring Walk” in the I’m donating on behalf of box on the donation form.
Thank you!”
-Joel