From Hamilton Street to the Iron Works site, freshwater vegetation takes over. Cattail vie with Purple loosestrife for space along the riverbanks. Here the river turns south under anelevated pipe and north where a pleasant view of the National Parks Services Iron Works site appear. As you paddle toward the Iron Works, Black-Crowned Night Heron can usually be seen roosting in the trees above. This iron mill, one of the first in the country, started operations in 1645. At the time, barges could travel up the river to dock at the mill to deliver raw materials and then return down river with the finished products for sale. Soil erosion, and the consequent filling in of the river bed, along with the removal of water upstream, result in the present day low water levels. The Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Past "Pirates Glen Rock" on your right. According to local legend, in the 1600's pirates would travel up river to secretly trade gold and silver for shackles and chains. They would then meet socialize at Pirates Glen which is located north of this rock outcrop.  

A better documented story about the river relates to the Saugus "Jasper" Quarries. These quarries which date from the Paleo-Indian Period (12,000-9000 years before present) contained reddish, buff stone which was favored by area Native Americans for its ability to be worked into projectile points and tools. This quarry site has since been destroyed.  

The river continues west, makes a sharp bend and again heads west. As the tidal influence diminishes, the vegetation begins to change from salt tolerant plants such as sea lavender to freshwater plant species like arrow arum. To the left (west) one can see the spire of the Saugus Town Hall rise over stands of common reed of Phragmites. This plant, tends to crowd out other vegetation, including species which are more beneficial for wildlife. Ahead the Hamilton Street Bridge can usually be passed under. Portages over the bridge are not recommended.

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Canoe Guide