Pawtucket Falls - Lowell, MA - Man-made Waterfalls on Waymarking.com

The waterfall and rapids below it drop a total of 32 feet in about a mile. The Pawtucket Falls also flow north bound. This was at one time a fishing grounds for the Pennacook Indians. For more on them check the link (visit link) .

By the early 1800's the falls had been augmented to accomodate a vast canal system. This quickly lead to Lowell becoming the first planned factory town, ushering in the birth of America's Industrial Revolution. Over the next 30 years, hydropower from the falls ran Lowell's numerous textile factories via the city's canal system.

The Lowell Power Canal System remains the largest power canal system in the United States, at 5.6 miles in length.

During spring thaw is when you'll really get to see the power of the Merrimack River. During the hot summer months, however, most of the river is diverted into the canal system. Which by the way has lead the Parks Dep't. offer white water rafting. You even go through a couple of the locks!

On the side of the falls closest to Varnum Ave. there is also a salmon ladder.

For most people, the bridge over the Merrimack River gives a pretty good view.

Location of the waterfall: Mammoth Road & Varnum Avenue Lowell, MA USA Flow dates: From: 03/01/2008 To: 04/30/2008 Type / features of structure: Dam Estimated height in feet: 5 Estimated width in feet: 300 River/stream/lake/reservoir: Merrimack River - "The Mighty Merrimack" Coordinates of parking: Not Listed Fees: Not Listed Estimated height in meters: Not Listed Estimated width in meters: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
To log this waymark, you will need to be able to prove to the waymark owner that you were at the waterfall in question. An original photo of the waterfall with your GPS in the photo would count as proof. Or a logged visit to a geocache in the area of the waterfall could also count as proof of a visit.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   06/15/1999 Phleum visited it

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