Get To Know the Monatiquot River!

It’s time to get to know the Monatiquot River! Until recently, public access to this enchanting stream was quite limited. But in the last few years, there has been significant change. Thanks to long-time, dedicated work by the Town of Braintree, there are two new places to visit the river. Keep reading to learn more.

The Monatiquot rises in Braintree, within the town’s municipal golf course, at the confluence of the Farm and Cochato Rivers. It flows northeast for 4.9 miles before merging with Smelt Brook to form the Fore River, a coastal stream that empties into Hingham Bay. 

A flooded Monatiquot River, prior to the dam removals, at the Braintree Municipal Golf Course.

 For the past 20+ years, a large-scale restoration project has been underway at the intersection of Plain and Hancock Streets in Braintree. Both the Armstrong and Ames Dams have now been removed. While the transformation of the former-industrial site is not yet complete, there is much to celebrate, as the river has now been restored to a much more natural state. Last year, for the first time in 200 years, migratory fish were able to swim through Braintree!

 

Industrial use of this spot on the Monatiquot began in the colonial era, starting with a grist mill and sawmill. In 1823, Paul Revere and Co. established a copper foundry on site, followed by Mark Hollingsworth’s paper mill (1832-92). Next came a series of rubber companies, most recently The Armstrong Co., which established a sprawling cork manufacturing plant in the 1930’s. Armstrong closed its doors in 1995, but the industrial dams remained in place.

 

The dams created long-term obstacles for the migratory fish that swim upstream every spring to continue their life cycle. In addition, the 1800’s construction of a railroad bridge altered the bedrock at Rock Falls, making it impossible for herring to reach their spawning area at Great Pond. Thanks to a $5.5 million dollar project funded by the state and federal governments, the National Fish Habitat Partnership, the Town of Braintree, the property owner, and others, The Armstrong Dam was removed in 2023, followed by the Ames Dam in 2024. In addition, a pool and weir fishway was constructed at Rock Falls.

Herring in the South River in Marshfield, where a major restoration project is underway.

 As a result, 180 acres of habitat – not only for river herring but for American eels – are now reopened, along with 36 miles of unimpeded stream access. The river’s floodplain has been enlarged, and the possibility of a storm-induced catastrophic dam failure is no longer an issue. Bonus: there are new ways to enjoy the river recreationally! Check out these four spots. 

Monatiquot River Walkway

This ADA-compliant, 0.33-mile trail and boardwalk extends along the river, past the sites of the former Armstrong and Ames Dams, to the picturesque Rock Falls. A platform offers views of the fish ladder. Stop by in the mid-to-late spring and look for herring! Ample parking at Armstrong Park, at the corner of Plain at Hancock Streets.

Monatiquot Middle Street Loop Trail

This 6-acre property on Middle Street features a fully-accessible 0.3-mile loop trail with beautiful river views. Follow the long ramp down the hillside to the crushed stone trail, which is relatively flat and extends through an open woodland dotted with glacial erratic boulders. Six QR codes posted along the trail provide access to additional information. Roadside parking for 6 vehicles at 41 Middle Street.

Monatiquot River Nature Trail

This short, rocky, and very scenic trail extends through the woods for a tenth of a mile along the Monatiquot, approaching a historic railroad bridge. Such a captivating spot to watch the river flow! You’ll find it off John Mahar Highway, between Shaw’s and Beth Israel Lahey Health. Look for the trailhead on the road bridge that connects the parking areas of the two businesses. Park behind the Shaw's at 125 Pearl Street. 

Watson Park

This 22-acre park on the Fore River in Braintree is situated immediately downstream of the confluence of Smelt Brook and the Monatiquot. You can enjoy water views of all three streams on the 1-mile Monatiquot River Walk, which connects the park to Smith Beach and the Weymouth Landing Access Ramp. Also on site: athletic fields, a playground, and a seasonal splash pad. On-site parking for 30 cars on Gordon Road.

 

If you enjoy the outdoors, be sure to check out NSRWA’s Explore South Shore. Every morning, we highlight one of the region’s best nature places on Facebook and Instagram. Not on social media? We’ve listed all the locations on our website as well!

https://www.nsrwa.org/explore-south-shore-2026-thats-my-watershed/

by Kezia Bacon

March 2026

 

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. You will also find thirty years of Kezia’s Nature columns there. For more information about the “That’s My Watershed!” Contest, visit https://www.nsrwa.org/2026-nsrwa-explore-south-shore-thats-my-watershed-contest-rules/

A New Way to Explore the Trails of Hanson!

We’re quite fortunate here on the South Shore, when it comes to open space. Conservation land, wildlife sanctuaries, and nature preserves abound. There are more than 200 different trails listed in NSRWA’s online Get Outdoors database, and all of them are open to the public!

 

Land acquisition is where it begins, but another key step is determining how the property will be managed. Will it be kept natural, and maintained as wildlife habitat? Will it be modified for public use, with trails, signage, and a parking area? Will it be renovated or restored, such as transforming a former-industrial property into a park? No matter what, the land requires some degree of looking-after.

 

Our local towns do so much great work on behalf of their open space. In addition to conserving the land itself, they make it more accessible to the public, not only by creating trails, but also producing maps, brochures, and an array of online resources. A few noteworthy examples include: Kingston Conservation’s StoryMap, Norwell’s interactive trail map, and Hingham’s Parklands for the Public. But this month I’d like to direct your attention to Hanson: a little town that has made big strides in promoting its open space!

 

One day last year, I was surprised and delighted to find a bundle of 11 glossy brochures atop my NSRWA desk. Each one contained color photographs, a trail map, and access information for a different conservation property in Hanson. What a great idea! While I was familiar with the locations, the brochures made me want to revisit them all right away. I had to find out: How did these brochures come to be? 

 

Long story short: hoping to promote itself as a destination, the Town of Hanson knew that its 1900+ acres of open space would be a prime attraction. Town Planner Tony DeFrias secured a small grant from the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and then enlisted the help of Conservation Property Management Coordinator David Mansfield, who had already been collecting and sharing information about the sites. Mansfield brought in Hanson-based Webster Printing to design and produce the brochures, with the Conservation Commission underwriting the remaining costs.

David Mansfield leading a walk at Hanson's Alton Smith Reserve in 2025.

As a result of this team effort, the inviting and informative brochures are now available to the public, for free. You’ll find them at Hanson’s town hall, library, and senior center, and through the Conservation Commission. They’re a welcome complement to NSRWA’s Get Outdoors online database, another handy resource for information about open space. See below for brief descriptions.

 

Alton J. Smith Reserve & Sleeper Conservation Area: A former cranberry bog now being restored to its natural state, surrounded by woodlands and wetlands. Situated in the watershed of Indian Head Brook/North River, with more than a mile of trails. Ample on-site parking at 864 Indian Head Street, Hanson. 

 

Bonney Hill Trail: A wide 1.1-mile woodland trail that extends along the base of Bonney Hill, past the former Plymouth County Hospital, through a large meadow, to Wampatuck Pond, in the watershed of Indian Head Brook/North River. Limited on-site parking at 252 High Street, Hanson. 

Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area: This 2,000-acre state-owned property offers several miles of wide flat walking trails around ponds, marshlands, swamps, and retired cranberry bogs. Situated in the Stump Brook/Taunton River watershed. Ample on-site parking at 382 Pleasant, Street, Hanson.

Hanson Veterans Memorial Town Forest: This quiet, 35-acre woodland on the shores of Wampatuck Pond features 3 footbridges and about a mile of trails. Part of the Indian Head Brook/North River watershed. Park at the Botieri Field at 797 Indian Head Street.

Indian Crossway Conservation Area: A 1-mile trail through the woods to the edge of the Great Cedar Swamp, and onward into the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area. Situated in the Stump Brook/Taunton River watershed. Limited on-site parking toward the end of Crooker Place, on the left.

Philip Clemons Conservation Area: 

A 26-acre woodland with a half-mile loop trail plus two streams that flow to Oldham Pond, part of the Herring Brook/North River watershed. Limited roadside parking on Lakeside Road, near Lakeside Terrace. Look for the trailhead and informational kiosk. 

Poor Meadow Brook Conservation Area: A 115-acre property in the Shumatuscacant River/Taunton River watershed with a 1-mile loop trail through woods and wetlands. Limited on-site parking at 891 West Washington Street, Hanson. 

Rocky Run Conservation Area: Nineteen acres at the confluence of Rocky Run Brook and the Indian Head River, with a mile of forest trails and striking river views. Limited on-site parking beside the State Street Bridge on the Hanover/Hanson town line. 

Smith-Nawazelski Conservation Area: Hanson’s largest conservation property, with 2 miles of trails through 101 acres of woods and wetlands, plus views of Poor Meadow Brook, part of the Shumatuscacant River/Taunton River watershed. Limited on-site parking at 482 Elm Street, Hanson. 

Webster-Billings Conservation Area: A 62-acre woodland with a trail network and views of Indian Head Brook. Limited roadside parking at the ends of Puritan Avenue, Old Pine Drive, and Williams Way.

 

If you enjoy the outdoors, be sure to check out NSRWA’s Explore South Shore. Every morning, we highlight one of the region’s best nature places on Facebook and Instagram. Not on social media? We’ve listed all the locations on our website as well!

by Kezia Bacon

February 2026

 

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. You will also find thirty years of Kezia’s Nature columns there. For more information about the “That’s My Watershed!” Contest, visit https://www.nsrwa.org/2026-nsrwa-explore-south-shore-thats-my-watershed-contest-rules/