Paddling Maps

Nashua River:

Millyard Technology Park to Rt. 3 Bridge (Nashua, NH)

Trip Description

This paddle trip provides an opportunity to paddle in an urban setting that turns into a stretch that feels remote and far distant from the city.  The paddle begins at the Millyard Technology Park Boat Launch behind the tech park building.  

Your paddle begins heading upstream in the area of Nashua’s historic downtown. As you begin your paddle, you’ll have urban viewscapes.  About a half a mile upstream from the launch, you’ll enter a stretch of river with tree-lined banks on both sides creating a sense of a far more remote area.

On your left for most of this paddle will be Mine Falls Park, an extensive urban park that was one of the first greenway areas that was protected on the Nashua River.  The park offers miles of trails, and views of both the Nashua River and Mine Falls Canal, the historic canal that channeled river water to the city’s mills for power.

The turnaround point for this paddle is the Rt. 3 bridge which crosses over the river approximately 2 miles upstream from the boat launch.  Your return trip downstream to the launch should be easier paddling as you go with the river’s flow.

Should you desire to paddle further upstream on the Nashua River beyond the Rt. 3 bridge, the river conditions remain similar for most of another mile. Be aware that upstream is Mine Falls Dam. HAZARD!  You are below the dam. Do not attempt to paddle close to the dam and falls area. After you pass under the Rt. 3 bridge, flatwater will become moving water the closer you come to the dam area. Turn back downstream and return to the Millyard Technology Park launch to take-out.

Side excursion: If you have the time, it is interesting to take a short ½ mile paddle downstream from the launch which brings historic mill buildings into view.  You’ll pass under the Cotton Mill Bridge that is now a pedestrian walkway, part of the City’s riverwalk trail. On your right will be  the very large Clocktower Place brick mill.  Be sure to turn back upstream when you reach the Main Street Bridge. There is no take-out location in this area, and Jackson Falls Dam is a HAZARD if you pass beneath the bridge. DANGER! Do not approach or attempt to paddle over the dam. Turn back and paddle back to the Millyard Technology Park launch. 

What You Might See

The tree-lined banks on this paddle are an excellent example of riverside greenway. Along with the tranquility the area offers, greenway is invaluable in protecting the quality of water in the river.  Vegetated banks filter pollutants and sediment that might be carried into the river from storm run-off. The vegetation also helps to prevent bank erosion.  The tree canopy shades portions of the river, lowering water temperatures that improve habitat for aquatic wildlife.

Even though you are within the City, there is a good chance you may see Great blue heron along the banks or in shallow areas as they hunt for small fish and other aquatic prey.  Seasonally you may also see a variety of waterfowl on the river and songbirds in the wooded shores.

As you pass along Mine Falls Park, you may see people enjoying the park trails.