Ipswich River Water Trail
Welcome to Winthrop Street, landing on the Ipswich River Water Trail and trailhead of Essex County Greenbelt’s Willowdale Mill Reservation. Paddlers heading upstream will need to portage over the Willowdale dam. Check out the fishway at the dam, which some migratory fish species like river herring use to make their way up the main stem of the river, and eventually to tributaries and ponds.
Above River supporters listen to Executive Director Wayne Castonguay speak from the dry riverbed at Winthrop Street during the devastating 2016 drought. Conserve water, and encourage others to do so as well, to protect the future of beautiful places like this.
The Ipswich River Water Trail is funded by the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Mass Trails grant program and connects all the communities on the river. The improvements to the water trail include a water-resistant tree-free watershed map (free to Ipswich River members!) as well as an online version of the map that works with GPS tracking to pinpoint your exact location on the river.
The Ipswich River flows for 45 miles between its headwaters in Burlington, through Wilmington, Reading, North Reading, Middleton, Peabody, Topsfield, Hamilton and finally Ipswich where it empties into the Great Marsh. The river is mostly flat-water, with a few riffles that are especially great in the spring. Visit other locations on the Water Trail and look out for more informational QR codes!
River Warden and Masconomet Environmental Club officer Katie Bernard posts QR codes on trails in Lockwood Forest, Boxford. The QR codes include links to Katie and fellow club officer Marion Duval’s documentary Protecting Fish Brook.
We are in a drought!
While you enjoy this segment of the river, please keep in mind that we are experiencing drought conditions and low flow. The Ipswich River has been nationally recognized as one of the country’s Most Endangered Rivers® not once, not twice, but three times. Yet more than 90% of water use in the Ipswich watershed is exempt from any State water conservation requirements.
What can YOU do to help?
Conserve water in any way you can! The water that comes out of your sink, hose, sprinklers, well, and pretty much any local water source that you can think of, drains the river. See Endangered Ipswich for a Recipe for Water Conservation.
One of the easiest and most direct ways to help the river is to join the Lawn By Lawn movement.
Join the Lawn by Lawn Movement
Take the pledge to let your grass go natural, hand-water gardens and shrubs, and cut out chemicals by opting for natural alternatives. Did you know that grass only needs 1 inch of water per week to thrive? Overwatering only weakens grass and shortens its roots. Native plants do not require fertilizer and pesticide and will thrive in your yard, bringing songbirds and brightening your yard. Create beautiful and sustainable outdoor spaces that are friendly to your local river by taking this pledge.
Get to know your watershed, with the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
Visit Riverbend! 143 County Street, Ipswich MA 01938 ipswichriver.org
