North River (Massachusetts Bay): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 42°31′50″N 70°53′39″W / 42.5305°N 70.8943°W / 42.5305; -70.8943
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m copyedit, refine cat, and AWB general fixes using AWB
Kurttarvis (talk | contribs)
→‎Boating: fixed issue with wording and linked Indian Head River to Wikipedia's page on it as opposed to a google maps external link
 
(27 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:North River, Marshfield MA.jpg|thumb|right|<center>[[Marshfield, Massachusetts|Marshfield]] bank of North River</center>]]
[[File:North River, Marshfield MA.jpg|thumb|right|{{center|[[Marshfield, Massachusetts|Marshfield]] bank of North River}}]]
The '''North River''' is a river, approximately {{convert|12|mi}} long,<ref name=NHD>U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map], accessed April 1, 2011</ref> in eastern [[Massachusetts]], the [[United States]]. It is primarily a [[tidal river]], formed by the confluence of the [[Indian Head River]] and Herring Brook. The North River forms the boundary between the towns of [[Norwell, Massachusetts|Norwell]] and [[Pembroke, Massachusetts]], and downstream, the boundary between [[Scituate, Massachusetts|Scituate]] and [[Marshfield, Massachusetts|Marshfield]]. The river flows into [[Massachusetts Bay]] at New Inlet, where it also converges with the mouth of the [[South River (Massachusetts Bay)|South River]].
The '''North River''' is a river, approximately {{convert|12|mi}} long, in eastern [[Massachusetts]], the [[United States]]. It is primarily a [[tidal river]], formed by the confluence of the [[Indian Head River]] and Herring Brook. The North River forms the boundary between the towns of [[Norwell, Massachusetts|Norwell]] , [[Pembroke, Massachusetts]], [[Hanover, Massachusetts]] and downstream, the boundary between [[Scituate, Massachusetts|Scituate]] and [[Marshfield, Massachusetts|Marshfield]]. The river flows into [[Massachusetts Bay]] at New Inlet, where it also converges with the mouth of the [[South River (Massachusetts Bay)|South River]]. The North River area is also known as the "Irish Riviera" due to the large [[Irish American]] population that migrated during the 19th century.


== Fishing ==
== Fishing ==
The North River is primarily a habitat for striped bass and bluefish. As the tide rapidly changes both the bass and bluefish get trapped in the shallows. The most common shallows occur by the flats of the river. These flats are approximately half a mile wide and one mile long. During the spring, when schools of striped bass and bluefish are most active, is the best time to fish by the flats, either by boat or on land.<ref>http://www.livestrong.com/article/282453-north-river-fishing-access-in-massachusetts/</ref>
The North River is primarily a habitat for striped bass and bluefish. As the tide rapidly changes both the bass and bluefish get trapped in the shallows. The most common shallows occur by the flats of the river. These flats are approximately half a mile wide and one mile long. During the spring, when schools of striped bass and bluefish are most active, is the best time to fish by the flats, either by boat or on land.


== Boating ==
== Boating ==
The North River is a popular river for kayakers as well as for small boats. There are three locations to load into the water. One at Bridge Street as well as Union Street and Chittenden Lane. Public parking is available at these locations.<ref>http://voices.yahoo.com/striped-bass-flats-fishing-massachusetts-north-2200553.html</ref><ref>http://www.livestrong.com/article/282453-north-river-fishing-access-in-massachusetts/ /></ref>
The North River is a popular river for kayakers as well as for small boats. There are several locations to load into the water. One at Bridge Street in Norwell, Union Street in Marshfield, Chittenden Lane in Norwell, Driftway Park in Scituate and upriver close towards the end of the North River in Hanover, there is a public boat launch off of Indian Head Drive. The North River ends in Hanover/Pembroke at Luddams Ford. The water upstream from the Luddams Ford dam is the [[Indian Head River]]. The North and South Rivers Watershed Association has a [http://nsrwa.org/Page.75.html kayak guide and map] explaining more about using the rivers. Tide is a major factor in determining timing of putting in and taking out. The North and South Rivers Watershed Association has an [http://nsrwa.org/Page.78.html offset tide table] for different locations along the river. Public parking is available at these locations.


== History ==
== History ==
The North River was host to the Fox Hill Shipyard which produced vessels up to 390 tons. The Fox Hill Shipyard produced over 56 vessels between 1690-1869. The heaviest vessel that was created was the Hilo. The very first ship launched by the shipyard was the Orient, weighing 42 tons. The first two shipbuilders on the river were Nathaniel Church and John Palmer.<ref>http://barquehill.org/other-info/history/fox-hill-shipyard/</ref>
The North River was host to the Fox Hill Shipyard which produced vessels up to 390 tons. The Fox Hill Shipyard produced over 56 vessels between 1690–1869. The heaviest vessel that was created was the Hilo. The very first ship launched by the shipyard was the Orient, weighing 42 tons. The first two shipbuilders on the river were Nathaniel Church and John Palmer.<ref>{{cite web | title=Barque Hill Association History | publisher=Barque Hill Association | url=http://barquehill.org/other-info/history|access-date=2014-10-22}}</ref>

Prior to the [[Portland Gale]] of 1898, the North River flowed south between Scituate's Humarock section and Marshfield, Massachusetts, joining the South River and entering the ocean several miles to the south of the current opening. The storm breached a thin strip of beach, which connected Scituate's Third and Fourth Cliffs, leaving Humarock an island. Eventually the old inlet has silted in, forcing the South River to flow north between Marshfield and Humarock, where it now joins the North River to enter the ocean between Third and Fourth Cliffs. Although Humarock is now connected by land to Marshfield, North of Rexhame Beach, there are no roads across the old inlet. As a result, Humarock is only accessible via the Marshfield Avenue and Julian Street bridges from Marshfield. The change to the course of the North River also increased the salinity of the large marsh area surrounding the current outlet, resulting in the loss of the valuable salt haying business. On the river itself, there were multiple landings throughout the towns for [[packet boats]]. Whites Ferry in Marshfield and Barry's Landing in Scituate were the first stops for the ships, then they would go down the North River to Hobart's Landing in Pembroke and the Wanton/Fox Hill Shipyards in Norwell, then eventually to the last stop on the river at Barstow's Bridge/Shipyard in Hanover.

The North River was also host to Whites Ferry shipyard and Barstows Two Oaks shipyard from the 17th through the 19th century.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Massachusetts rivers}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* Barque Hill Association, last updated November 17, 1012, [http://barquehill.org/]
"North River Fishing", last updated October 19, 2012, http://www.livestrong.com/article/282453-north-river-fishing-access-in-massachusetts/.<br />
* North and South Rivers Watershed Association, updated regularly [http://nsrwa.org/]
"Striped Bass Fishing Massachusetts", last updated August 23, 2012, http://voices.yahoo.com/striped-bass-flats-fishing-massachusetts-north-2200553.html.<br />
"Fox Hill Shipyard" last updated November 17, 1012, http://barquehill.org/other-info/history/fox-hill-shipyard/.


{{Coord missing|Massachusetts}}
{{Coord|42.5305|-70.8943|display=title}}


{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:North}}
[[Category:Rivers of Plymouth County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Rivers of Plymouth County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Pembroke, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Pembroke, Massachusetts]]
Line 27: Line 35:
[[Category:Marshfield, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Marshfield, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Rivers of Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Rivers of Massachusetts]]


{{Massachusetts-geo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 17:46, 8 December 2021

Marshfield bank of North River

The North River is a river, approximately 12 miles (19 km) long, in eastern Massachusetts, the United States. It is primarily a tidal river, formed by the confluence of the Indian Head River and Herring Brook. The North River forms the boundary between the towns of Norwell , Pembroke, Massachusetts, Hanover, Massachusetts and downstream, the boundary between Scituate and Marshfield. The river flows into Massachusetts Bay at New Inlet, where it also converges with the mouth of the South River. The North River area is also known as the "Irish Riviera" due to the large Irish American population that migrated during the 19th century.

Fishing[edit]

The North River is primarily a habitat for striped bass and bluefish. As the tide rapidly changes both the bass and bluefish get trapped in the shallows. The most common shallows occur by the flats of the river. These flats are approximately half a mile wide and one mile long. During the spring, when schools of striped bass and bluefish are most active, is the best time to fish by the flats, either by boat or on land.

Boating[edit]

The North River is a popular river for kayakers as well as for small boats. There are several locations to load into the water. One at Bridge Street in Norwell, Union Street in Marshfield, Chittenden Lane in Norwell, Driftway Park in Scituate and upriver close towards the end of the North River in Hanover, there is a public boat launch off of Indian Head Drive. The North River ends in Hanover/Pembroke at Luddams Ford. The water upstream from the Luddams Ford dam is the Indian Head River. The North and South Rivers Watershed Association has a kayak guide and map explaining more about using the rivers. Tide is a major factor in determining timing of putting in and taking out. The North and South Rivers Watershed Association has an offset tide table for different locations along the river. Public parking is available at these locations.

History[edit]

The North River was host to the Fox Hill Shipyard which produced vessels up to 390 tons. The Fox Hill Shipyard produced over 56 vessels between 1690–1869. The heaviest vessel that was created was the Hilo. The very first ship launched by the shipyard was the Orient, weighing 42 tons. The first two shipbuilders on the river were Nathaniel Church and John Palmer.[1]

Prior to the Portland Gale of 1898, the North River flowed south between Scituate's Humarock section and Marshfield, Massachusetts, joining the South River and entering the ocean several miles to the south of the current opening. The storm breached a thin strip of beach, which connected Scituate's Third and Fourth Cliffs, leaving Humarock an island. Eventually the old inlet has silted in, forcing the South River to flow north between Marshfield and Humarock, where it now joins the North River to enter the ocean between Third and Fourth Cliffs. Although Humarock is now connected by land to Marshfield, North of Rexhame Beach, there are no roads across the old inlet. As a result, Humarock is only accessible via the Marshfield Avenue and Julian Street bridges from Marshfield. The change to the course of the North River also increased the salinity of the large marsh area surrounding the current outlet, resulting in the loss of the valuable salt haying business. On the river itself, there were multiple landings throughout the towns for packet boats. Whites Ferry in Marshfield and Barry's Landing in Scituate were the first stops for the ships, then they would go down the North River to Hobart's Landing in Pembroke and the Wanton/Fox Hill Shipyards in Norwell, then eventually to the last stop on the river at Barstow's Bridge/Shipyard in Hanover.

The North River was also host to Whites Ferry shipyard and Barstows Two Oaks shipyard from the 17th through the 19th century.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Barque Hill Association History". Barque Hill Association. Retrieved 2014-10-22.

Further reading[edit]

  • Barque Hill Association, last updated November 17, 1012, [1]
  • North and South Rivers Watershed Association, updated regularly [2]

42°31′50″N 70°53′39″W / 42.5305°N 70.8943°W / 42.5305; -70.8943