Stevens Street & Balmoral Dam Removal Projects

In March, 2017 the final stages of the Stevens Street and Balmoral dam removals in Andover were completed.  The Stevens Street dam was located just downstream of Stevens Street at Marland Place between Steven Street and North Main Street.  The Balmoral dam was located between Balmoral Street and Haverhill Street.

What does this mean for paddling in those sections?

The Shawsheen River section from Central Street in Andover to Riverina Road in Andover (behind Woodworth car dealership) is Not Recommended for  general recreational paddling due to multiple obstacles and hazards.

Here are important considerations for paddlers who still consider using this area of the Shawsheen River:

• As with all paddling activities, safety is a primary consideration.  Wear a properly fitting life jacket, paddle in areas within your skill set, understand river hazards and weather considerations are important fundamentals for all paddling activities. Also, scout the section to be paddled ahead of time as conditions are always changing.

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• Central Street to Essex Street:  There is clearly visible fast water in a rocky section immediately at the Central St bridge and another fast water section not far downstream after going under the railroad bridge.  However, the main hazard is the breached Redman Card dam (upriver from the Essex Street bridge) at the Dundee Park Mill complex. This hazard is not readily visible.  The concrete and stone dam is partially breached (river left) and water flows swiftly through this narrow passage.  Below the breach is concrete and large boulder rubble from the dam making a dangerous traverse. Paddlers can get out on river right before the dam, (steep banking, and thick brush) carry over the dam and return to the river on the downstream side. This option varies in difficulty depending on water level. Often if the water is high, getting back on the river on the downstream side is challenging with swiftly moving water which is heading straight towards the old turbine outlets for the mill building.  It is not advisable to “run” the breached dam except by the most experienced paddlers giving due consideration to the river water height and the navigation around pieces of the old dam that block a clear passage through the breached dam opening.

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• Essex Street to Stevens Street:  This section passes behind the Whole Foods Market parking lot and Post Office. There is a challenging fast water section just upstream from the Stevens Street bridge. 

 

• Stevens Street to North Main Street:  The river grade drops sharply at the Stevens Street bridge where rip-rap was installed at the location of the removed Stevens Street dam.  This is another challenging and difficult fast water section.  It is immediately followed by a very low pedestrian bridge crossing between Marland Place and Powder Mill Square.  This is the location of the herring count.  This bridge is not passable in high water. The bridge at North Main Street is also low and may not be passable in high water. 

 

• North Main Street to Riverina Road (behind Woodworth car dealership):  This section runs adjacent to the Stop and Shop parking lot and behind the Washington Park complex.  There is no good public access in or out of this area.