Musquashcut Brook Launch

218 Gannett Rd, Scituate, MA 02066, USA

Owned By: Privately owned, but open to the public.

• Directions

The Musquashcut Brook Launch is located on private property but open to the public. Located on Gannett Road in Scituate, it offers access to the lower reaches of Musquashcut Brook, as well as the Gulf River. Use at your own risk.

Features

The Gulf Association, established in 1961, is the primary steward of this beautiful tidal estuary. According to information posted on site, “It has been active in identifying and restricting sources of pollution on the marsh, in educating citizens as to the regulations which govern land and water use on the Gulf and its surrounding highlands, and in encouraging compliance and cooperation to protect this valuable natural resource.” There is an ongoing water quality testing program, performed in conjunction with the Town of Scituate and Cohasset, as well as with Cohasset High School.

This land is within the region of the Massachusett (or Massachuseuk). To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett, and the Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag, both share information on their websites. 

Long before the arrival of European settlers, the Massachusett maintained a village on the eastern shore of the river, as well as in Scituate Harbor. According to John F. Hartshorne’s “A History of the Gulf River,” the river was known as “Conyhassit,” and the word “Musquashcut” is understood to describe a red bush that grew in the area.

Beginning around 1640, the Conihasset River (Gulf River) and Cohasset Harbor served as boundary line between the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies.

Trail Description

No trails, but launch you canoe or kayak here to access the lower reaches of Musquashcut Brook, as well as the Gulf River. You can paddle downstream, but a portage would be required to paddle upstream, as there is no access under the Gannett Road bridge.

Habitats and Wildlife

Musquashcut Brook joins with Bound Brook in North Scituate and flows into the Gulf River. The Gulf River empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Cohasset Harbor.

Upstream, the 70-acre Musquashcut Pond is fed by freshwater streams as well as tidal saltwater from Massachusetts Bay. It is flushed once per month when the Town of Scituate opens the tide gate, allowing 75% of the water to recirculate.