The Herring Run Middleboro MA

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The Herring Run in Middleboro is on the Nemasket River right off RT 44. It’s location makes it a convenient spot for me to stop to grab a quick photo on my way to work. On my days off I also head down here as it has picturesque ruins and a stone bridge as well as mini waterfalls and abundant wildlife and birds.

This is the spot where I first started taking pictures after I got my DSLR last spring because this area was hit hard by the flooding we had in 2010. Until then I had driven by daily to work but never bothered to stop.

The Herring run in Middleboro is one of the largest in the state allowing herring to migrate from the ocean to the Assawompset Pond Complex. The little steps in the river that are so pretty to photograph are a fish ladder allowing the herring to “run”.

The Herring travel more than 40 miles from Mount Hope Bay, through the Taunton River to the Nemasket River and finally end up in the pond complex to spawn in their natal waters.

One of the other things that makes this an interesting spot are the ruins. I’ll have to do some research on them and write another post with what I find out about the history of the area. I’ve been told that the ruins are from an old mill. Apparently there are quite a few ruins of mills along the Nemasket.

You always see a lot of people here. Some are walking dogs, some are enjoying the picinic tables that are set around the area. Still others are fishing or just watching the herring. When the run is in full swing the fish cram the river and are easy to see. Last year when the road flooded, the herring swam right over the road as well.

 

Well that’s about all I have time for today. Off to work. I’ll be back with more posts on Monday.