Goulds Mill: Geology and River Landscape

If you’re looking for a hotel in Goulds Mill, you’ll encounter a range of nature-related features: geological outcrops near Goulds Mill, rapids in the Town of Lyonsdale, and river and dam features nearby. When planning your trip, it’s worth distinguishing between these highlights. The geology describes rocks and minerals; the other destinations are about whitewater, waterfalls, reservoirs, and a portage route.

Whitewater in the Town of Lyonsdale

Class V rapids in the Town of Lyonsdale attract whitewater rafters and other outdoor visitors. Unlike the geological outcrops near Goulds Mill, the focus here is on whitewater and outdoor activities rather than rocks along the riverbank. If you’re planning your stay around a particular nature-related interest, you can weigh these two options: whitewater in the Town of Lyonsdale or rock outcrops near Goulds Mill.

Geological outcrop near Goulds Mill

At the geological outcrop near Goulds Mill, the access route described in a 1997 field guide initially follows an unpaved road parallel to the river for about 50 m. It then passes through trees to broad outcrops along the riverbanks. The directions give a clear sequence: first the stretch of road beside the river, then the access route through the trees. As the information comes from a 1997 field guide, check current access before visiting.

Rocks and minerals in the area

Quartz-rich gneiss is well exposed at outcrops along the Moose River near Kosterville and Goulds Mill. The rocks contain abundant sillimanite, a few percent magnetite, and scattered garnet grains. Weathered surfaces are also often stained by hematite. This brings different features into focus: the mineral components in the rock and the coloration on the weathered surfaces.

Goulds Mills Falls

Goulds Mills Falls is located near Goulds Mill on the Moose River in Lyonsdale. The waterfall consists of two drops on opposite sides of an island. Directions, last updated in 2017, mention a small parking area on Kosterville Road and a short path down to the river from there. Check current access before visiting.

Reservoir, dam, and portage route

The Gouldtown Development near the destination includes a portage route along the north shore of the reservoir. This portage route near the destination has a take-out point about 200 feet upstream from Gouldtown Dam and a put-in point about 800 feet downstream. A Gouldtown Development parking area is also located near the destination, beside the intersection of Kosterville Road and Shibley Road.

The Gouldtown Development reservoir near the destination covers 10 acres at a crest elevation of 855 feet above sea level with flashboards in place. Gouldtown Dam near the destination is on the Moose River and borders a four-acre island between the southern and northern sections of the dam. The reservoir and dam thus show different aspects of the water landscape: an area figure tied to the crest elevation and the island’s location between the dam sections.

For the broader travel overview: Lewis.