South Street East Bridge

41° 53.167' N    71° 1.781' 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.

Description & Overview:

Paddling downriver to this site, the take-out is on the right just before the bridge.

The path from the parking area down to the river is on the upriver side of the bridge. It is a bit steep and a drop-off partway down to the river adds an extra challenging, but once you get to the river there is a small gently sloping area on the riverbank from which to launch canoes and kayaks.

The river below here is broad and slow moving all the way to Taunton (and beyond). It is slow enough that you can also paddle upstream for up to 5 miles before you will encounter rapids too swift to paddle up. One hazard to be aware of is rocks just below the surface of the river. These rocks are usually visible but often hard to see since the river is moving so slowly that the rocks do not create any ripples on the surface of the river. If you hit one at just the right angle it could flip your boat.

Also, the river in this area is tidal so you can expect the river to rise and fall throughout the day. So, when pulling boats up onto the shore, make sure they are far enough up that a rising tide will not float them off and to be safe, tie them to something secure. By the time the river gets to Taunton this rise and fall can approach 4 feet.

The next good take-out below South Street East is 7.4 miles downriver at the boat ramp at Weir Village Park, in downtown Taunton.

The river throughout this entire area is largely tree-lined with only occasional houses, lawns, buildings and pastures visible from the river, until you get into downtown Taunton, where the last mile or so of river before you get to Weir Village Park is more industrial.

This site provides access to the following water bodies in the Taunton River watershed: Taunton River.

Location:

Town: Taunton

Nearest Town Center: Taunton Center

Driving Landmarks: From U.S. 44 just east of MA 24, go south on Orchard Street, which becomes South Street East. Go 1.6 miles and look for a gravel parking area near a small brick building on the left side of the road before the bridge.

Coming from Middleboro Avenue in East Taunton, go north on Old Colony Avenue for 1/4 mile. Go across the bridge and park on the right next to a small brick building.

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: flatwater/slow moving river

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, earth, roots and rocks

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 75 feet

Parking:

Parking: other, 8 spaces, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? no

Nearby Amenities:

Public Restrooms: No, but a restroom could probably be found at one of the businesses 1/4 mile south of the put-in on South Street East/Old Colony Avenue, at the junction with Middleboro Avenue.

Sources for More Information:

AMC River Guide: 4th Edition, page 153

Photographs:

The Path to the Launch Site

Photography by: Bruce Hooke

Date of Photograph: September 15, 2022

The short path to the river is in the center of this photograph.

South Street East Boat Launch

Photography by: Jessica Schultz

Date of Photograph: October 4, 2008

View of the path to the river at the South Street East bridge. The bridge is just out of the picture to the left (downriver).

View Downriver at South Street East

Photography by: Jessica Schultz

Date of Photograph: October 4, 2008

A view down the river at the South Street East Bridge. The path to the river is at the grassy area on the right side of the photograph.

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