Robbins Pond

42° 0.547' N    70° 54.442' 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:

Robbins Pond is a pretty, 124-acre natural pond. The maximum depth is only 10 feet. Much of the shoreline is wooded, with many tall pine trees, but there are also some houses along the shore. Except on a very windy day, Robbins Pond should be a pleasant place to paddle throughout the summer as long as it is not too busy.

The Satucket River, which starts next to the put-in, is more complicated. Paddling the Satucket is only recommended when the river is relatively high and even then it is best undertaken by more adventurous paddlers since you will encounter many downed trees, at least some of which you will have to lift your canoe or kayak over, and in some cases this lift can be challenging. If the river is low, there may be barely any water at all in the Satucket and since the riverbottom in the first section is quite muddy, dragging your canoe or kayak is a challenge. If there is enough water then the first section is a pretty paddle through meadows, wetlands and occasional forest. There are a few houses visible from the river but not that many. Unfortunately there is more trash in the river than one would expect on such a quiet and isolated river but it is still a pretty place. The river is very slow moving so if you have second thoughts it should not be hard to turn around and paddle back up to the put-in.

In 1.75 miles you will come to the Washington Street Bridge. Below here the riverbanks become more wooded and downed trees across the river become more frequent. If the river level is up you should be able to float right over many of the trees. If the river is low you will have to lift over every one of them, and there are a lot! Other than continued issues with occasional trash in the river, there are few signs of human presence visible from the river; just an occasional house here and there until you come Bridge Street, which is the next put-in/take-out. Bridge Street is 3.25 miles downriver from Robbins Pond. The landing is on the right side of the river before the bridge. For more details on the river below here see the description for Bridge Street Bridge.

WARNING: If the river is so high that there is a strong current paddling the Satucket is not recommended as the downed trees will become dangerous strainers that could trap and hold you underwater. At least some of the trees are likely to be traps if the current is strong: too high to go over, too low to go under, and hard to get out and lift over if the river is pushing you into them and the banks are not good for landing.

Half of the parking spaces at Robbins Pond are reserved for vehicles with cartop boats. The other half are for either vehicles with cartop boats or "shore fisherman."

This site provides access to the following water bodies in the Taunton River watershed: Satucket River, Robbins Pond.

Location:

Alternate Site Name: Pond Street

Town: East Bridgewater

Nearest Town Center: East Bridgewater

Driving Landmarks: From MA Route 106 (Plymouth Street) head north on Washington Street. Go 1/2 mile and turn right onto Pond Street at the "Country Convenience" store. Go 0.6 miles and look for a gravel parking lot on the left just after a small bridge, where the pond is on the right.

Access & Waters:

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

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

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 30 feet

Parking:

Parking: yes: 12 spaces

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? yes

Nearby Amenities:

Public Restrooms: No

Sources for More Information:

AMC River Guide: 4th Edition, page 156

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