Rhode Island | Washington County / Wood-Pawcatuck watershed

Pawcatuck RiverBradford Landing to Main Street Boat Launch

A shorter Pawcatuck town reach from Bradford Landing to the state-owned Main Street ramp.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 6.8 river miles
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAllow 3–5 hours with shuttle and scouting time
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Pawcatuck River flows through Westerly, Rhode Island.
River contextPawcatuck River at Westerly; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

Why this call
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Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
DifficultyeasyThe selected Wood-Pawcatuck reaches are generally Class I–II, with strainers, old dam sites, low-water shoals and private-bank boundaries requiring scouting and lawful access.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm DEM, municipal and any tidal or parking rules before unloading.
CampingDay tripNo overnight camping is included; use established campgrounds and do not camp on private banks.
SeasonMar-NovRain and dam operations can change current quickly. Check the Westerly gauge, trend, weather, tides for downstream water and current DEM access notices.

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Access and shuttle

A shorter Pawcatuck town reach from Bradford Landing to the state-owned Main Street ramp.

Access map

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Finish

Take-out

Main Street Boat Launch, Westerly

Portage dams and fish weirs; never trespass for a portage.

Road shuttle

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use documented public launch points only.
  • Portage dams and fish weirs; never trespass for a portage.
  • Recheck seasonal parking, water levels and tide conditions.

Watch for

  • Low-water riffles below Bradford
  • Town ramp traffic
  • Tide and wind near Westerly

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Recent trend

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Hourly forecast

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Short-route forecast

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Why this score

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Data status
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Data reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

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Water levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge sitePawcatuck River at Westerly, RI
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range200 cfs to 600 cfs
Low threshold100 cfs
High threshold1,200 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreRiverScout Pawcatuck flow and reach guide
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Public accessBradford Landing to Main Street Boat Launch

    ExploreRI and RIDEM identify the named public launch sites.

    Source

  • Scoring band200–600 cfs Class I–II planning window

    RiverScout ties this window to USGS 01118500; verify live telemetry and trend before travel.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 01118500 at Westerly

    Direct Pawcatuck telemetry for the downstream corridor.

    Source

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Pawcatuck River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Bradford Landing to Main Street Boat Launch route on the Pawcatuck River?

Paddle Today watches Pawcatuck River at Westerly, RI and treats 200 cfs to 600 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Bradford Landing to Main Street Boat Launch route on the Pawcatuck River start and end?

This route starts at Bradford Landing, Pawcatuck River and ends at Main Street Boat Launch, Westerly, about 6.8 river miles on the water.

Is the Bradford Landing to Main Street Boat Launch route on the Pawcatuck River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.