Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Paddling Trails Salmon River Paddling Trail
USGS Quadrangle:
Middle Haddam, Moodus, Deep River Paddle Length:
On The Water: This is a great stretch of whitewater which flows into the Connecticut River near East Haddam. Most paddlers start there run either at the Blackledge River or Jeremy River – which join together to form the Salmon River. A large portion of the river passes through the Salmon River State Forest. (Google Map) You’ll also pass under the historic Comstock Bridge.
Cautions: Recommended water gauge readings of 3.8 – 4.4 USGS Real Time Water Data Salmon River
Old Route 2 - Connecticut Route 16
USGS Quadrangle:
Middle Haddam, Moodus, Deep River
Type of Water:
Class II
Paddle Length:
6 miles
Portage:
Put-In:
Longitude:
72.427849
W
Latitude:
41.558107
N Take Out:
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: Connecticut Route 16 – Leesville Dam
USGS Quadrangle:
Middle Haddam, Moodus, Deep River
Type of Water:
Class II
Paddle Length:
6 miles
Portage:
Put-In: Comstock Covered Bridge Longitude: 72.4478639 W Latitude: 41.5534323 N Take Out:
Longitude:
72.482865 W
Latitude:
41.516766 N
On The Water: Start at the Comstock Covered Bridge
above Connecticut Route 16 or below the bridge at the large picnic area.
The river is still composed of rapids for a mile before turning to
quickwater or Class I. This section of river has some large waves when
water levels are high. The last 2.25 miles of this trip are mostly
quickwater and a few shallow spots. As you near the
Leesville Dam the current slows down. Stay to the
left side of the river as you near the dam and pull out 50 feet above
the fish ladder and it’s a short portage to a parking area below the
dam.
Cautions:
Connecticut Route 16 - Connecticut River
USGS Quadrangle:
Moodus, Deep River
Type of Water:
Flatwater, Quickwater, Class I
Paddle Length:
8.25 miles
Portage:
Leesville Dam – 3.5 miles in Put-In:
Longitude:
72.482865 W
Latitude:
41.516766 N Take Out:
Salmon River Boat Launch
Longitude
72°28'4.72"W
Latitude Or Take Out: Goodspeed Opera House
Longitude:
72.462243
W
Latitude:
41.451817
N
On The Water: Below the Comstock Bridge next to Route 16 the river
is not as steep but does have some rapids. Put in either below the
Comstock Bridge on the right or at the picnic area on left at Gulf Road. You come upon the dam at 3.5 miles after a S turn
and passing under an overhead cable designating the no fishing zone. The 12 foot dam is 600 feet below. Stay to the left
and stay in the marshy area 50 feet upstream from the fish ladder. There
is a small parking lot about 300 feet south. As you continue downstream
put in behind the fish ladder. At 1 ¾ miles below Connecticut Route 151 (at 3.75
miles) the river enters Salmon Cove at 5.5 miles in – this is a tidal
inlet on the Connecticut River. You can take out at the
Salmon River Boat Launch on the left at 7.5 miles or ¾ miles further down at the
Goodspeed Opera House on the left just past the Connecticut Route 82
bridge at 8.25 mils over the
Connecticut River.
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:
This site utilizes Google base maps to create a faster, more accessible,
and much more user friendly mapping application that provides detailed
information on launch and landing sites, camp sites, restaurants, lodging,
and sites of interest along the various
water trails.
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