Ipswich River in Massachusetts

Trip Overview

My wife and I wanted to explore a new section of the Ipswich. We put in at Peabody St in Middleton (see Google Maps - Peabody St pushpin).

Very gentle current probably 0.5 mph or less. About 1/2 mile upstream we hit an obstacle - the "dam" beavers were at work. The result was an annoying and unexpected one foot rise over the dam-in-progress. Could not portage because area was quite marshy - no high ground nearby.

Plan B: downstream.
But unfortunately for us novice kayakers, probably one-third mile past our put-in, a large tree had fallen across the entire river perhaps a month ago, leaving less than an inch of water over its low point. Another couple, more adventurous than us and having done the beaver "falls" and having a car downstream, got out and balanced on the fallen trunk to get thru. We weren't as well motivated.

It was a pleasant paddle and some nice fall foliage but abbreviated. We will scout out other sections of the Ipswich to enjoy.

Accommodations:

Peabody St has parking for 3 cars and an easy put in, in shallow water.

Fees:

no

Resources:

www.ipswichriver.org/ sells an inexpensive map of all put-ins on the river