New Boat Launch on the South River!

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A view of the new South River launch with the bench in the foreground.

 I’m so excited to share this news! Thanks to the combined efforts of the Town of Marshfield, Goodwill Hunters, and the North & South Rivers Watershed Association, there is a new launch site for canoes, kayaks, SUPs and other small boats on the South River. Until this spring, those who wanted to paddle the upper navigable portion of the South River had to risk such challenges as steep inclines, unsure footing, and poison ivy. But not anymore! This is a prime example of our Community Preservation funds being put to good use.

Many are unaware that the South River originates deep in Duxbury. Its source is in the Round Pond area, and from there it winds unobtrusively through the woods for several miles. Although one can view it from Route 3, and also from both the South River Bogs and Camp Wing conservation areas, it remains a narrow and mostly un-navigable stream until it makes its first “public” appearance at Veterans Memorial Park in Marshfield. From there it flows under Route 3A, through South River Park, and behind the playground of South River School, emerging again at Willow Street. But due to fences, dense vegetation, traffic, and general navigability none of these are ideal places to access the river by boat.

Just downstream from Willow Street, however, is the Francis Keville Footbridge, the location of the South River’s new boat launch. This is the upstream addition we river enthusiasts have been hoping for! Finally, there is relatively easy access to this portion of the river!

The Keville Footbridge was constructed in 2001. You can get there via a 0.15-mile path that extends behind the CVS on Ocean Street, as well as a 0.25-mile trail that originates on South River Street. Both access points are along a de-commissioned section of the Old Colony Railroad. Paddlers should be aware that launching a boat here requires carrying it first -- a bit of a distance. It’s worth it, though!

There is a gate in the middle of the bridge that opens onto a tall metal ramp. The ramp is steep, but it has railings and a non-slip walkway . . . and it is wide enough to accommodate a person carrying a kayak. The ramp leads down to a wooden float, which sits on the water’s surface.

Once you get your boat on the water, you are in for a treat. This is a quiet section of the river – bordered on both sides by salt marsh. Those familiar with the lower portion of South River at Humarock and Rexhame will find this section to have significantly less traffic. Especially in the summer, when the reeds have grown tall, it’s hard to believe that civilization is close-by. You’re likely to see all sorts of wildlife – turtles sunning, river otters playing, any number of fish and fowl going about their daily routines.

After passing through the center of Marshfield, the river tucks back into the marshes. One can view it remotely from various locations along South River Street, and in the Southport and Rexhame neighborhoods. Downstream from there, it completely changes character. Its final three miles, along the barrier beach of Humarock, are very much out-in-the-open.

One of the many nice things about the lower portion of the South River is that it is wide and deep enough to be navigable at any tide. The upper portion is another story. You can still launch a canoe or kayak from the Keville Bridge at low tide, but you are likely to encounter some obstacles as you proceed. (With a SUP, you should be able to glide around or over even the shallowest sections). I was surprised to discover, on a recent excursion, that the upper portion of the South River has a number of sandbars!

Thus, be sure to consult a tide chart before you go, and bear in mind that when it’s high tide at the ocean, it will be another 3-4 hours before it’s high tide at the Keville Bridge. The height of the tide itself, and the amount of rainfall in the days and weeks prior, also affect water level. Unlike other sections of the river, it’s hard to know with much certainty how much water there will be at a given time. But that’s part of the adventure, right?

Another important thing to bear in mind: the Town of Marshfield is still fine-tuning the wooden float at the new launch site. At present, it sits rather high on the water (probably to accommodate the very heavy metal ramp). Getting into and out of your vessel could present an  unexpected challenge. That said, the river is shallow enough – at least at lower tides – that you can easily stand in the water beside the float. The Town of Marshfield hopes to have this situation remedied soon.

Even if you’re not interested in launching a boat from the Keville Bridge, it’s worth visiting. Goodwill Hunters (who also provided funding) has installed a granite bench at the water’s edge – a tribute to the late Drew and Anjuli Hunter -- and the view from there is really something. The organization is a big supporter of river access. (Watch for its annual Duck Derby this fall!) In addition, there are efforts underway to post signs and construct an informational kiosk along the trail behind CVS. There have also been murmurs of PFDs and wheeling mechanisms being available to lend across the street at Levitate.

A Note About Parking: At present the town advises that you drop off your boat or board at the trailhead behind CVS, and then move your car across the street to the municipal lot next to Levitate. In the future, they are hopeful that parking will be available closer to the launch.

Upcoming Event: Let NSTWA show you how to navigate the new South River kayak/canoe launch! Join us for a paddling trip on Thursday July 14th from 5-7pm. Registration is required at nsrwa.org

by Kezia Bacon

June 2017

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. To browse 20 years of nature columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

A New Bridge on the South River

Installing the Francis Keville Bridge on the South River in Marshfield.

After years of planning and discussion, there is now a footbridge over the South River in Marshfield Center, thanks to the efforts of the Planning Board, area businesses, and the family of Francis M. Keville, who erected the bridge in his memory.

The South River passes right through the center of Marshfield, yet many people have no idea that it’s even there. The river is visible upstream at Veterans Memorial Park, its first “public” appearance after winding through the woods of west Duxbury for several miles. It flows under Route 3A, and from there passes behind the playground of South River School, emerging again at Willow Street. But due to fences, dense vegetation, and traffic, none of these are ideal places to view the river.

From Willow Street east, the South River disappears amongst the vast expanses of salt marsh that border it on each side. You can catch small glimpses of it here and there in the side streets of the Rexhame neighborhood, but the river doesn’t appear again in plain sight until it reaches the back side of Rexhame Beach. Downstream from there, it completely changes character, suddenly out in the open as the western border of Humarock’s entire 3-mile extent.

Because of this visibility, many people are familiar with the lower portion of the South River, but few have had the opportunity to get to know the upper half. One of many reasons to celebrate the construction of this new footbridge is that the general public will now have easy access to the upper portion of the South River.

Why would you want to go see the South River? For one, it’s a feast for the eyes. Springing back to life after winter dormancy, the marsh along the river’s edge is just beginning to turn green. The colors change from day to day, fine tuned to the weather and the position of the sun in the sky. On a clear day the river appears deep blue in the distance, transparent up close, while on a cloudy one it might be green, brown, or gray.

The ever-shifting tide is another factor. Its influence might completely flood the marshes at one time of day, and later reduce the river to not much more than a trickling stream. Right now you can see the remnants of a dock -- it appears to have washed up on the northern bank quite some time ago, no doubt delivered on a storm tide from points downstream.

From the bridge, you will also be able to observe the South River’s simple yet elegant course, snaking right and then left and then right again as it makes its way from source to sea.

As beautiful as it is, it’s not the river’s visible qualities that most enchant me. Visiting the South River -- perhaps any tidal river -- brings me a profound sense of peace. There is something about a tidal river that quiets people down, makes them more contemplative and calm. I’ve seen it time and again: people arrive at a river and are struck silent, feeling no need to speak, even to move. The serenity just pulls you in.

That’s another thing that’s ideal about this new bridge being so centrally located. You might stop on your way to work with your coffee or breakfast, or take a few minutes out of a morning of errands, or make a brief detour at the end of the day. The short walk takes you away from the immediate hum of traffic. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of a busy downtown, you find sanctuary -- perhaps just what you need to get your day started on the right foot . . . or back on track. It’s simple, it’s accessible and it really does make a difference.

Getting There: The Keville Footbridge is located down a short path behind the new CVS in Marshfield Center — at the intersection of Route 139 and Webster Street. There is ample parking. There is also walking access from South River Street, a little bit east of Willow Street, next to the electric transformers. Take a short break from your day to stop and see the river, or spend an afternoon exploring the trail that leads from Summer Street, along Carolina Hill, across Ferry Street, behind the Fairgrounds, and across South River Street and the river to the new bridge.

by Kezia Bacon Bernstein, Correspondent
May 2001

Kezia Bacon Bernstein's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168.