For decades, I drove the town roads – and the “water” was Lake Winthrop, Factory Pond or perhaps the Bogastow Brook. A beautiful threesome, but rather limited given the rich web of water that runs through our town. In the last five years, with the Holliston Rail Trail completed, I have been able to open my eyes to the extensive waterway network that flows throughout all corners of our town. Be it when walking, or skiing or biking on the re-purposed railway bed, I have noticed so much more water flow than I had ever imagined. I have asked, “Where does that water come from? How do these numerous brooks and streams connect to lake and pond – and finally, of course, how do they all make a good contribution to the Charles River?”

So here I offer up several photos of some of the modest starting points and connectors of our “east of Highland Street” brooks and streams.

1. Hill St. has three small streams feeding down to the south shore of Lake Winthrop.

2. The Winthrop Canal is now seen with clarity from different perspectives from up along the Rail Trail.

3. Jar Brook – sourcing at the Ashland town line – flows down under Winter St. near Stagecoach Rd. and heads on to Houghton’s Pond and then under Washington St. to Factory Pond (Woodland St.) and the Bogastow.

4) Dopping Brook starts up at the Sherborn town line and sneaks under the Rail Trail on its long journey to the connection with the Bogastow to slide under Fiske St. and then Central St. further downstream –finally headed out to the Charles River in Millis.

None of this is to belittle the tiny stream that comes quietly down under Pearl St., over to the narrow Austin Lane channel, then under Washington St. and down by the Peddler’s Lane wetlands and under the Rail Trail to feed the Lake Winthrop wetland ponding just west of the access road to Pleasure Point. This flow then feeds into the Winthrop Canal just below the culvert at Arch Street. Even the Holliston Library (John’s Shoe Repair?) parking lot has a little slot stream feeding down to the Winthrop Canal. It is, in fact, carrying water that originates in the very modest Willow Brook tucked in the hidden swale between the Green St. houses and the Hollis St. houses as one looks up toward Powder House Hill. A culvert – presumably quite substantial in design – carries the water under Washington St. and several parking areas to connect to the canal.

Some will point out that I have ignored the “west of Highland Street” waters that entwine and snake under the Rail Trail as they flow down to the Medway section of the Charles River. Yes, Chicken Brook and Hopping Brook need their day in the sun also. Alas, there are too many waters to fully describe and photograph in this short space: they can await another day. Let us just remember and appreciate fully that these waters run freely—and with some subtle beauty— through our town. Also, as Spring approaches, we can reflect upon how fortunate we are that the

Rail Trail serves to bring us into a closer connection with our many flowing brooks and streams—all Good Waters running through our town.