Connecticut Water Trails Program

Paddling Trails

Salmon River - Marlborough to Comstock Covered Bridge

USGS Quadrangle: Middle Haddam, Moodus, Deep River

Type of Water: Class II

Paddle Length: 4 miles

USGS Real Time Water Data / Gauge:

Portage:

Put In One: Day Pond Road, Colchester

Google Map

Longitude: 72.427849 W Latitude: 41.558107 N

Take Out: Comstock Covered Bridge

Google Map

Longitude: 72.4478639 W Latitude: 41.5534323 N

On The Water:

The rocks are boat friendly on this river. Paddling it is best done in early spring to avoid people out fishing. The river wanders for several hundred yards before you hit your first rapids. If the water is low or you want a shorter trip – the head of these rapids is a good put in spot. The rapid should be entered from the left hand side so you can get around several large boulders and ends with a large eddy on the right.

The river continues to be rocky for the next several miles until it enters a long and shallow pool.

At the end of the pool Dickinson’s Brook enters from the right and the currents pick up into fast moving rapids Class II+ - III. The rapids are the result of an old dam and has three ledges which vary in height from 1 – 2 feet.

Your best way the go through the dam is to use a chute on the far right. If the water level is high enough – there might be other routes on the left side – scout out the area before attempting it. A levels of 5 feet, the left ¾’s of the dam form a dangerous keeper. The dam washes out at levels of 8 feet. You will hit several large waves below the dam.

The river then turns into easy rapids as it turns right and enters another long and shallow pool.  At the head of this pool is a ledge which extends from the left forming a surfing wave. The rapids before the bridge may be scarping the river bottom unless the water is high.

An easy take out can be made on the right hand side before the Connecticut Route 16 Bridge or after it at the picnic area. You can also continue further down to another take out at Route 151 just above the Leesville Dam on the left.

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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