Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Paddling Trails Eight Mile River Paddling Trail
USGS Quadrangle:
Hamburg Type of Water: Paddle Length:
On The Water:
The river along with its
Eastern Branch – is a great paddling trip. The trips vary between Class
I & III. Best paddled in the early spring. The river flows through
Devil's Hopyard State Park.
Cautions: Watch for fallen trees which can block river.
USGS Real Time Water Data / Gauge Portage:
Chapman Falls – Route 82
USGS Quadrangle:
Hamburg
Type of Water:
Class II
Paddle Length:
3 miles
Portage: Dam –
1.5 miles in Put-In: Devil's Hopyard State Park Longitude: 72.34254799999999 W Latitude: 41.485292 N Take Out:
Connecticut Route 82 Bridge Longitude:
72.405681 W
Latitude: 41.432506
N
On The Water: The put in is below Chapman Falls ( Longitude: 72.34122499999999 W Latitude: 41.483925 NUpon launch you’ll be in Class II rapids which
continue most of the way. After leaving the picnic area the river turns
left and drops over a small ledge. After ¾ of a mile the river again
follows the road where you hit a large pool followed by a short drop off
of a low rock dam. Just before the pool you’ll hit a tricky Class III
drop around large rocks followed by small ledges. To run the drop start
from an eddy on the right and then head off to left of center. Over the
next ¼ mile the river as several streams join it from the sides which
add to the flow. You hit easy rapids again as the river runs along the
road before it again turns left and away from the road. When the river makes a sharp right turn – stop and
scout the next rapid first before paddling it. The rapid is rated a
Class III+ and drops 8 feet over 50 yards which is made up of three
ledges. The first ledge is best paddled from the left and drops about 3
feet into a short pool. Watch for the rocks hiding at the bottom of the
drop. The second ledge can be run on the left or right side then turning
sharply to the center. The third drop consists of a 5 foot wide chute on
the extreme left dropping 2 feet and then another sharp turn to the
right. The run out to this drop can be shallow and rocky. Class II rapids are what you’ll encounter as the
river returns to the road. A god take out can be made as the river turns
left at 2 miles. Beyond this point is private property and you hit
fallen trees and barbed wire with the rapids dropping into quickwater as
you reach the Connecticut Route 82 Bridge. Take out above the bridge.
Cautions:
Route 82 – North Lyme
USGS Quadrangle:
Hamburg
Type of Water:
Quickwater, Flatwater, Class I
Paddle Length:
4.25 miles
Portage: North
Lyme Dam – at 3.25 miles in – 20 yard Put-In:
Connecticut Route 82 Bridge Longitude:
72.405681 W
Latitude: 41.432506
N Take Out:
Macintosh Road Longitude: 72.34163 W Latitude:41.411916 NOr Take Out:
Joshuatown Longitude:
72.383135 W
Latitude:
41.395403 N
On The Water: This part of the river provides 3 miles of
quickwater and easy rapids. It can be paddled as a continuation of the
main section of the Eight Mile river or as part of the Eastern Branch of
the river. Put in at the Connecticut Route 82 Bridge in East
Haddam or along
Connecticut Route 156 in Lyme. From the Connecticut Route 82 Bridge you’ll have
quickwater until you need to portage around a small dam – which you need
to do on the right. At ¾ of a mile you paddle under the Connecticut
Route 156 Bridge where the East Branch of Eight Mile River enters. The river moves away from the road and returns to
the road when rapids will pick up and you’ll hit some small drops and
turns. The rapids continue on to the first take out, located at
Macintosh Road Bridge at 3 miles in. If you want to paddle further on
the river hits a pond behind a small dam – which you need to portage on
the left side. Then in less than one mile it’s the Joshuatown Road bridge
where the take out is up river on the left side of the bridge.
Cautions:
East Branch of Eight Mile River
USGS Real Time Water Data / Gauge
Darling Road – Connecticut Route 156
USGS Quadrangle:
Hamburg
Type of Water:
Class II & II, Flatwater
Paddle Length:
Portage: Dam –
2,5 miles in
Put-In: Darling
Road Longitude:
72.292092
W
Latitude:
41.45156
N Take Out:
Connecticut Route 156 Longitude:
72.34651
W
Latitude:
41.394731 N
On The Water: This branch of Eight Mile River is a nice paddle.
It’s small, rocky, and narrow. You’ll hit three long rapids each
separated by flatwater. To reach the put in take Exit 19 off of Connecticut
Route 2 onto Connecticut Route 11. Follow Connecticut Route 11 to the
end and take a quick right onto Darling Road. Take the first right at
the stop sign and start anywhere the river is close enough to the road.
The farther up you put in the easier the rapids. The rapids will slowly pick up to Class II by the
first bridge. Watch for eddies. Standing waves about 1 foot high make up
most of the rapids and require carefully making your way around rocks.
The water continues at Class II for the next mile as the river flows to
the left away from the road and turns into quickwater. When the river heads back towards the road you’ll
hit Class III & III+ rapids to the most difficult of the trip. This
section is narrow, steep, and full of boulders. You’ll need to be on
your game and have complete focus on what you are doing here. The
boulders may be hidden by high water creating channels. The most
difficult section of this part is halfway down when you’ll see a large
rock blocking the center – your only option is a sharp stair-step drop
on the left. 50 yards after this is another sharp drop into a small
pool. The rapids from this point on continue for another ½ mile before
hitting a pond behind a dam. You’ll need to take out on the right and
carry across the road. You’ll then have to put in below the dam, This is
private property so be courteous and fast. Class II rapids is what you’ll hit and continue for
the next 200 yards to the next bridge. The river take out will be about 50 yards above a
low bridge where the river merges with the main section of Eight Mile
River. Highwater will prevent you from passing under the bridge,
Cautions:
The information here is based upon the best available information presently available. If you find and error or have a written description of a water trail we have not included - please contact us
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information on launch and landing sites, camp sites, restaurants, lodging,
and sites of interest along the various
water trails.
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