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Ware River Reach 2

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Last Updated: 1/2018

Barre-Oakham Border to South Barre Dam

Description​
         This short reach includes three dams. 

RESTRICTED AREA
Quabinn Water Supply diversion prevents any access from the Barre-Oakham border launch (30.4) to the footbridge below the diversion dam (29.6).

STATISTICS

Skill Level:            Class 1 and 2
Estimated Time:    1 hour plus portages
Distance:               2.6 miles
USGS Maps: North Brookfield, MA, Barre, MA
[3] ​Footbridge - Put-In - Mile 29.6
Positions: 42-23.48 N 72-03.88 W
Altitude: 646 feet
Access: 
Launch below the dam on grassy area.
Nearest Launch Address:  
 1098 Worcester Road, Barre, MA 01005
Put-In Directions (23.8 miles, 40 minutes):
From the Mass Pike Exit 8, Palmer, MA:
  1. At the end of the ramp, turn left at the stop light.
  2. Head north on Route 32 North/Thorndike Street.
  3. At mile 8.4, at stop light, turn right onto Route 9 East/Main Street in the center of Ware.
  4. At mile 10.1, turn left onto Route 32 North.
  5. At mile 13.5, in Gilbertville, turn right to stay on Route 32 North.
  6. At mile 21.1, in South Barre, turn left to stay on Route 32 North
  7. At mile 21.9, in the center of South Barre, continue straight onto New Braintree Road/Vernon Avenue. (Route 32 turns left here)
  8. At mile 22.9, turn right onto Route122 South.
  9. At mile 23.8, park on the river side where there is a metal footbridge just down river of the stone building and horse-shoe shaped dam.
Power Plant and diversion to aquaduct.
Probably the most beautiful dam on the Ware River.
No launching allowed until the footbridge below this. 
[1] ​Barre-Oakham Border Launch - Mile 30.4
Positions: 42-23.67 N 72-03.06 W
Altitude: 649 feet
Access: 
Turn North off Route 22 at bridge to Put-In. There are portable restroom available and picnic tables. There is an orange barrier that prevents boating below Route 122 bridge crossing.   This is a gravel boat ramp.
Nearest Launch Address:  
1186 Worcester Road, Barre, MA 01005
Put-In Directions (24.3 miles, 41 minutes):
From the Mass Pike Exit 8, Palmer, MA:
  1. At the end of the ramp, turn left at the stop light.
  2. Head north on Route 32 North/Thorndike Street.
  3. At mile 8.4, at stop light, turn right onto Route 9 East/Main Street in the center of Ware.
  4. At mile 10.1, turn left onto Route 32 North.
  5. At mile 13.5, in Gilbertville, turn right to stay on Route 32 North.
  6. At mile 21.1, in South Barre, turn left to stay on Route 32 North
  7. At mile 21.9, in the center of South Barre, continue straight onto New Braintree Road/Vernon Avenue. (Route 32 turns left here)
  8. At mile 22.9, turn right onto Route122 South.
  9. At mile 24.3, turn left just before the road crosses the river.  Follow this road into the access area.
Plenty of parking, picnic tables, and portable toilet.
Launch of the grassy area opposite the highway.
All boats must stay above the orange barrier.
[4] ​Power Mill Dam Portage - Mile 28.8
Positions: 42-23.40 N 72-04.75 W
Altitude above dam: 624 feet
Altitude below dam: 608 feet
Access: 
 There is no designated portage around dam.  The dam owner as said they have an exemption. Park roadside near the river and launch where you can best access.
Nearest Launch Address:  
918 Worcester Road, Barre, MA 01005
Put-In Directions (22.8 miles, 39 minutes):
From the Mass Pike Exit 8, Palmer, MA:
  1. At the end of the ramp, turn left at the stop light.
  2. Head north on Route 32 North/Thorndike Street.
  3. At mile 8.4, at stop light, turn right onto Route 9 East/Main Street in the center of Ware.
  4. At mile 10.1, turn left onto Route 32 North.
  5. At mile 13.5, in Gilbertville, turn right to stay on Route 32 North.
  6. At mile 21.1, in South Barre, turn left to stay on Route 32 North
  7. At mile 21.9, in the center of South Barre, continue straight onto New Braintree Road/Vernon Avenue. (Route 32 turns left here)
  8. At mile 22.8, the road crosses over the river.  This is just before the intersection of Route122.
A close up of the Powder Mill Pond Dam.
Find roadside parking near this bridge.
A view of the dam form the bridge.
[2] ​Ware River Diversion Dam - Mile 29.8
Positions: 42-23.43 N 72-03.61 W
Altitude above dam: 646 feet
Altitude below dam: 634 feet
Access: 
Launch below the dam on grassy area.
Nearest Address:  
 1098 Worcester Road, Barre, MA 01005
​
Power Plant and diversion to aquaduct.
Probably the most beautiful dam on the Ware River.
No launching allowed until the footbridge below this. 
[5] ​South Barre Dam Portage -  Mile 27.8
Positions: 42-23.20 N 72-05.75 W
Altitude above dam: 598 feet
Altitude below dam: 586 feet
Access: 
Plenty of parking near the dam on dirt area.
Nearest Launch Address:  
7 Oak Street, Barre, MA 01005
Put-In Directions (17.3 miles, 29 minutes):
From the Mass Pike Exit 8, Palmer, MA:
  1. At the end of the ramp, turn left at the stop light.
  2. Head north on Route 32 North/Thorndike Street.
  3. At mile 8.4, at stop light, turn right onto Route 9 East/Main Street in the center of Ware.
  4. At mile 10.1, turn left onto Route 32 North.
  5. At mile 13.5, in Gilbertville, turn right to stay on Route 32 North.
  6. At mile 17.3, turn right into a small park.
  7. At mile 15.6, launch where the road crosses the river. 
Take out on river right above dam.
Follow the grass down below the dam to awkward Put-In