This past Saturday, the Indian Head River Coalition hosted Indian Head River Day to celebrate this amazing river and its surrounding land. Unfortunately, we had to cancel the kayak paddle due to the high water levels that resulted from Thursday’s Nor’easter but we had a great turnout for the guided hike.
The Indian Head River Coalition is a partnership between the North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA), Wildlands Trust, and the Towns of Hanover, Pembroke, Hanson, and Plymouth County, and Saturday’s event was a strong demonstration of that collaboration. Representatives from Wildlands Trust led the participants along the Indian Head River Trails, navigating areas that were flooded and adjusting the route as needed. Becky Malamut from NSRWA met the group at Ludden’s Ford Park to talk about the benefits of dam removal, provide information about the potential removal of the Ludden’s Ford Dam and State St/Cross St Dam, and an update on the potential Superfund designation upstream at the National Fireworks Site.
Further down the trail, Will Harden opened the Waterman Tack Factory for the group and provided a display of historic items. Finally, Dave Mansfield from the Hanson Conservation Commission met the group at about the halfway point for a talk on the former factories at the State Street/Rocky Run sites.
If you missed last Saturday’s events, you can still explore the trail and discover the history and ecology of this vibrant stream through NSRWA’s new virtual story walk. Flyers with a QR code will be posted at kiosks along the trail. As you walk this wooded, natural stretch through Hanover, Hanson, and Pembroke, it’s easy to forget that you are on the South Shore of Massachusetts. Exploring this unique and diverse habitat through its local history will transport you to another time. We hope that you will check it out!
Photos courtesy of Rob MacDonald.