Coming Soon – New Ipswich River Paddling Map
May 6th, 2013 | by Cynthia
Essex Heritage CEO Annie Harris (left) and Essex Heritage President Richard Yagjian (right) present an Essex National Heritage Partnership Grant to Ipswich River’s Cynthia Ingelfinger and Wayne Castonguay for the new Paddling Map and Guide.
Soon you will be able to get a new updated paddling map of the Ipswich River! This beautiful 18 x 24” double-sided color map and guide of the recreational, natural and cultural resources of the Ipswich River Watershed can be used in the field and there will be an electronic version you can use on your smartphone. The back of the map features six trip itineraries with all the information you need for a successful paddling experience
Thanks to the support of two local foundations, the Essex National Heritage Commission and the Fields Pond Foundation, we have completely updated our old map and guide utilizing the latest GIS map-making technology. We are working with Stephen Engle from Community GIS in Farmington, ME, one of the leading recreational guide producers in New England, to design the guide. Stay tuned: it will be ready soon.
Water Ups and Downs Around the World
May 3rd, 2013 | by Middleton Stream Team
In mid-May 2006 Ipswich River flood waters cover much of Peabody Street landing in Middleton. Judy Schneider photo
The Water Closet, May 3, 2013
There is nothing unusual about changes in water levels in our ponds, rivers and oceans. Now the Mississippi and her tributaries are running high. Nightly we watch TV reports of the flooding along much of their lengths. Streets in the floodplain towns and cities are again under water. Last summer the barge transport industry on the Mississippi was suffering from low lows. Now 40-feet higher in places and flowing fast, barge traffic is hard to control and dangerous.
Here on the Ipswich where canoes and kayaks are our vessels, we have no such worries. (more…)
Herring Count Update
April 30th, 2013 | by Ryan
The fishcount is going very well. As of Sunday April 28th, volunteers have performed over 200 individual, ten minute counts and we are not quite half-way through the count season that began April 1. Over the last few years, we had just over 300 counts for the entire season! At this pace we are on track to set a record for the most counts done in a single season. Also as of Sunday April 28th, we are up to 20 river herring counted. On some occasions, additional herring were reported outside of a count period. One observer reported 14 herring going by after 7:00PM when we stop counting for the day. Maybe herring prefer to run in the evening, we don’t really know. Our wish is to install a camera that can record these events when no one is looking. Thank you to everyone who participated in the count so far.
It is not too late to get involved with the herring count. This is a fun and easy activity for individuals and families alike. If you would still like to get involved, contact Ryan or Kate or visit the fishcount webpage for more information.
River, Water, Beer, Sweat, Then Blood and Tears
April 26th, 2013 | by Middleton Stream Team
3 of 5 canoes move down the Ipswich River for the annual Patriots Day paddle near the where once colonial “Log Bridge” (1673 to 1973) crossed from Danvers. Judy Schneider photo.
Ten old timers, ages 57 to 90, once again got together for the 70th or so annual Patriots Day paddle down the Ipswich River. Francis Masse whose mother started the once family outing has kept the tradition going. Friends have been added as family members left. This year Stream Teamer, Bob Lemoine, organized the paddle that always culminates midway in a riverside feast cooked over an open fire. At the same time in Boston and surrounds thousands of excited, apprehensive, and happy runners, crowds of spectators and media gathered for the famous 114 year old marathon. (more…)
