Harrisville Pond (South End)

41º57'56.3" N    71º40'28.63" W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

This is a site for launching hand-carried boats such as canoes or kayaks.

Comments & Overview:

The shoreline at the small town park at the south end of Harrisville Pond is suitable for launching hand-carried boats into the pond, however the boat ramp at the north end of the pond is a better place to launch into the pond. Harrisville Pond is a small, 22-acre pond with a dam at the south end. This area is stocked with trout several times throughout the year.

In the spring, when the river is high, you can launch canoes and kayaks into the Clear River below the dam at Harrisville Pond and take on Rhode Island's only real whitewater paddling run. From this put-in there are 5.8 miles of mixed Class I-II whitewater, flatwater and quickwater paddling on the Clear River and then the Branch River before you reach the take out on Slatersville Reservoir. Since this is a paddling run for experienced paddlers only, no more details will be provided here. The AMC River Guide or "Paddling Connecticut and Rhode Island" is highly recommended for paddling the Clear River. It has details about the various rapids and portages along the route and specific hazards that must be avoided. Don't paddle the Clear River without this information!

This site provides access to the following water bodies in the Blackstone River watershed: Harrisville Pond, Clear River.

Location:

Alternate Site Name: Clear River

Town: Burrillville

Nearest Town Center: Harrisville, RI

Driving Landmarks: From the center of Harrisville, where Route 107 and Route 98 intersect, take Route 107 east for 1/10 mile. Just after you cross the Clear River, turn left onto Steere Street and look for the town park immediately on your left.

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: dam, whitewater, pond, The Clear River below the Harrisville Dam is Rhode Island's only real whitewater paddling run. See the description for more details.

Note: Because one boat launch can access, say, both a lake and a river or both the upstream and downstream portions of a river, not all paddling trips at a given site will necessarily encounter all of the features listed.

Type of Access: Boat launch for hand carried boats

ADA Accessible Boat Launch? no

Shoreline: Gravel and grass.

Float/Dock: no

Parking:

Parking: on street

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? no

Sources for More Information:

AMC River Guide: 4th Edition, page 147-148

Other Guidebooks: Paddle 30 in "Paddling Connecticut and Rhode Island"

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