Wescustogo Park to Old Town House Park
Description
This two-mile segment of the river can be paddled upstream, downstream, or both. Both Wescustogo and Old Town House Parks have developed hand carry boat launches. The current is gentle which makes it popular for kids. This river segment is typically maintained by paddlers though caution is always necessary.
Wescustogo Park, New Gloucester Road, North Yarmouth; Old Town House Park, Route 9 (Memorial Highway), North Yarmouth
2.0 miles
More information
Paddling Side Trips
Chandler Brook: Chandler Brook is the Middle Branch of the Royal River. It can be explored in sections or all at once. There’s something for everyone here: peaceful flatwater, fun whitewater, or true adventure navigating nearly impassable stretches of water. Chandler Brook can be paddled at high water levels (in the spring or after significant rain) with the exception of a few sections that are impenetrably clogged with strainers. The brook can be divided into five distinct sections:
Old Town House Park, North Yarmouth to Milliken Road, North Yarmouth: Paddle north through the short rapids by the North Road bridge until you reach the strainers at Milliken Road just above the confluence with the East Branch.
Milliken Road, Pownal to Elmwood Road, Pownal: Not recommended for most paddlers due to strainers.
Elmwood Road, Pownal to Poland Range Road, Pownal: This three-mile section of Chandler Brook can be paddled only during spring high water or after heavy rain. To determine water levels, stop on Lawrence Road in North Pownal and take a look at the river as it runs parallel to the road. If the water is high enough to run those rapids, the water is high enough to run the entire brook.
Poland Range Road, Pownal to Runaround Pond, Durham: Paddlers will find flat water from the launch site at 799 Poland Range Road to the Old Chandler Mill Dam just south of Runaround Pond. Portage around the dam is possible but challenging, especially when water is low.
Runaround Pond: Runaround Pond is always an exceptional paddling experience. Paddlers may begin and end at the Runaround Pond Recreation Area’s hand-carry boat launch. Soon after leaving the boat launch the winding pond creates anear-wilderness experience with miles of undeveloped forested shoreline. Fish and wildlife include beavers, otters, eagles, osprey, kingfishers, herons, frogs, turtles, bass and pickerel.
Hiking Side Trips
Wescustogo Park
Old Town House Park
Chandler Brook Preserve
Runaround Pond Recreation Area
Chesley Meadows Preserve
Bradbury-Pineland Corridor Trails in Pownal
Wescustogo Park to Old Town House Park
This two-mile segment of the river can be paddled upstream, downstream, or both. Both Wescustogo and Old Town House Parks have developed hand carry boat launches. The current is gentle which makes it popular for kids. This river segment is typically maintained by paddlers though caution is always necessary.
