Although the Ipswich River has had swimming holes in the past, swimming from the bridges is not currently permitted.

Alewife harvests continued to be important until the 19th century, when dam construction on the Ipswich River and other streams ended the trade.

The Ipswich River forms the northern border of the town, and several brooks cross through town.

The Ipswich River also flows along the town's western border.

From there, Martin's Brook carries its waters onwards to the Ipswich River.

The Ipswich River near Boston now runs dry in some years due to heavy pumping of groundwater for irrigation.

Drinking water for many communities is provided from Ipswich River.

The town grew as a farming community, mostly due to its location on the Ipswich River, with homesteads of hundreds of acres.

A special grant in 1651 added land north of the Ipswich River to the town of Reading.

The area was first settled in 1651 when the town of Reading received a special land grant north of the Ipswich River.