Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Paddling Trails Natchaug River Paddling Trail
USGS Quadrangle:
Hampton, Spring Hill
Paddle Length:
On The Water: The river begins at the junction of the
Still River and
Bigelow Brook in Eastford
then continues on south to Willimantic. The upper section is quickwater
which alternates with rapids. The river flows around
Charlie Brown
Campground and
Peppertree Camping
and then through
Natchaug State Forest. The middle section is Class II
rapids while the lower section has some Class II and a long stretch of
quickwater.
USGS Real Time Water Data / Gauge
Phoenixville – England Road
USGS Quadrangle:
Spring Hill
Type of Water:
Quickwater, Class I & II
Paddle Length:
7.25 miles
Portage: Put In:
General
Lyon Road, Eastford Longitude:
72.085503 W
Latitude:
41.876797 N Or Put In: Connecticut Route 198, Eastford Longitude:
72.088036
W
Latitude:
41.873569 N Take Out: Marcy Road, Chaplin Longitude: 72.10181300000001 W Latitude: 41.817431 N Take Out:
North
Bear Hill Road, Chaplin Longitude:
72.108448
W
Latitude:
41.794286
N Take Out:
England Road, Chaplin Longitude: 72.117766
W
Latitude:
41.789342
N
On The Water: You put
in at General Lyon Road, Eastford or 2 miles down at a picnic area off
of Connecticut Route 198 in Natchuag State Forest. From General Lyon Road there is .25 miles of Class
II rapids that wind down to a 2 mile combination of quickwater and
flatwater. At the state picnic area – Class I and II rapids start and
continue for .75 miles. After
Nickerson Park Campground
there are several rock dams which should be scouted out before they are
paddled. Another rock dam is located ½ mile below the
Marcy Road bridge 4.75 miles
in and the slows down as you approach the bridge on
North
Bear Hill Road 6.25 miles in. The next
mile to the
England Road bridge is flatwater. Take out on the left where parking
is available.
Cautions:
England Road – Connecticut
Route 198 (Diana’s Pool), Chaplin
USGS Quadrangle:
Hampton, Spring Hill
Type of Water:
Class II, III, & IV
Paddle Length:
1 mile
Portage: Put-In:
England
Road, Chaplin Longitude: 72.117766
W
Latitude:
41.789342
N Take Out:
Connecticut Route 198, Chaplin Google Map Longitude:
W
Latitude:
N
On The Water: This is the Diana’s Pool section which has Class IV
rapids and an undercut ledge. To reach the put in follow Connecticut
Route 6 to Connecticut Route 198. Take Connecticut Route 198 north and
tavel about 2.25 miles and take a right onto England Road. There is an
area for parking just past the bridge on the left. The river below England Road has Class II rapids
followed by several large pools. After the short rapids
leading out of the last pool – stop, get out and scout the
Mousetrap. A large boulder forms an island with a ledge on the
right side and a sneak route on the left, which is usually blocked by
debris. There is a large eddy behind the boulder where you
should scout the best path through the many rocks below. One hundred yards of rocky rapids which will require
careful route selection leads to a drop where the river funnels towards
the right and has several angled hydraulics. Below this drop is an eddy on the rivers left. The
next rapid leads to the Cow Sluice rapid, where the river drops 5 to 6
feet through a narrow slot into Diana’s Pool. The rapid below is full of ledges, with a few small
eddies on the right side. The last drop is a 2 foot ledge which should
be run on the right – because there is an undercut ledge on the left
side with the water flowing toward the ledge. Below this last ledge there is a large rock on the
left Michauds Rock. The river is runnable when the water is flowing over
this rock. The take out is just above the Connecticut 198 bridge
Cautions:
Connecticut Route 198 – Old
Boston Post Road
USGS Quadrangle:
Hampton, Spring Hill
Type of Water:
Quickwater, Class II
Paddle Length:
3
miles
Portage: Put-In:
Connecticut Route 198, Chaplin Longitude:
72.088036
W
Latitude:
41.873569 N Take Out:
Station Road, Wndham Longitude:
72.10418300000001
W
Latitude:
41.663235 N
Take Out:
Spencer Road, Windham Longitude:
72.15664700000001 W
Latitude:
41.750108 N
On The Water: This section has Class II rapids and quickwater.
There are lots of rocks and strong current. The put in is above the
Connecticut Route 198, bridge – just below an undercut ledge. There is a small drop near the bridge which may be
difficult to navigate in high water levels. Following this is ¾ of a mile of continuous rapids
with rocks and waves. The first drop comes as the river makes a turn to
the right away from the road. There are a few eddies on the left side of
the river. Avoid the right side of this rapid. The next drop is easier and ends in a long pool. At
the end of the pool watch for a large ledge extending from the left
shore. Behind it is a large eddy from which you can scout the rapids
below. The best approach is from a small run on the left, there are
several rocks blocking the right side. The next rapid has a nice drop to the left of the
center rock. Soon the rapids end and change over to quickwater with the
remaining 2 miles to Station Road. Take out on the left above the Station Road bridge
or run another 400 yards farther and take out just before current slows
near Spencer Lane – behind Mansfield Hollow Reservoir. This 400 yards can be a nice run with several play
spots. The first is above the bridge where the ledge forma a hydraulic
on the right. The next is at the bottom of a small drop in a slight left
turn with an eddy. The last drop is another left turn take out – where a
cove on the left forms an eddy.
From there it’s a short carry to the Old Boston Post Road /
Spencer Lane
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
Maps On This Website Are Powered By:
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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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