Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Paddling Trails Shepaug River Paddling Trail
USGS Quadrangles:
On the Water:
This river is a favorite whitewater run in the spring. There is no
easily accessible take out point.
Valley Road /Route 341 Litchfield – Romford Road
Washington
USGS Quadrangle:
New Preston and Roxbury
Type of Water:
Class III
Paddle Length:
3.5 miles
Portage:
Put-In:
Valley
Road/Route 341, Litchfield
Longitude:
73.29430600000001W Latitude:
41.70689
N
Take Out:
Romford Road, Washington
Longitude:
73.293476 W Latitude:
41.677623
N
On The Water:
The section of the river above valley Road is off
limits. Running the dam is off limits also. You put in at Valley
Road/Route 341, Litchfield. After the Route 341 bridge, the river enters several
standing wave rapids in small turns. The river runs like this for about
a mile when it comes to a bridge in the middle of
Mount Tom State Park state park.
Note: Beware of
strainers. Another mile of rapids follows after the bridge. The
last two rapids you will encounter on this section of the river are the
most difficult made up of several sharp drops and lots of rocks. The
take out is the Romford Road Bridge. If there is too much ice and snow
continue down to the
Bee Brook Road take out in Washington Depot.
Cautions: Be aware of rocks and strainers.
Romford Road, Washington
- Bee Brook Road, Washington Depot
USGS Quadrangle:
New Preston and Roxbury
Type of Water:
Class III
Paddle Length:
3 miles
Portage:
Put-In:
Romford
Road, Washington
Longitude:
73.293476 W Latitude:
41.677623
N
Take Out:
Bee
Brook Road, Washington Depot
Longitude:
73.318111 W Latitude:
41.655369 N
On The Water: The river here is much wider and has a longer
paddling season. The river here varies between Class II & III. You can
put in at the Romford Road Bridge or behind the
Rumsey Hall School (Bantam
River which flows into the Shepaug). You will come to a rock cliff on the right side of
the river and your first rapids. You will need to make a slight left
turn in a strong current with standing waves at the bottom. After this
section there are several more easier rapids.
The next Class II plus rapid has a strong current and standing
waves. The river then becomes less steep and flows through
some quick water and Class I rapids. In some places it will be broad and
shallow. The last rapid is right before the Route 47 bridge and is made
up of several rocks and standing waves. Take out on the left above the bridge. The river runs through the Steep Rock Association Steep Rock AssociationSteep Rock Association
USGS Quadrangle:
New Preston and Roxbury
Type of Water:
Class II
Paddle Length:
9.5 miles
Portage:
Put-In: Bee Brook Road, Washington Depot
Longitude:
73.318111 W Latitude:
41.655369 N
Take Out:
Longitude:
73.330664 W Latitude:
41.562703 N
On The Water: This section of the river is the most paddles
whitewater run. The rapids are intermittent Class II, allowing for a
fairly easy paddle without the need for scouting ahead. Below the first
Route 47 bridge (Bee Brook) the river flows easy. One and a half miles
of the river is Class II rapids past two more Route 47 bridges in
Washington Depot. After this there are 6 miles of Class II rapids
through a deep canyon known as the “clamshell”. The river then flattens
out over the next two miles to Roxbury Station. Take out at Hodge Park
along Route 67 where the east bank is close to the road about a quarter
of a mile before a small dam.
Cautions: Four miles below the dam at Roxbury Station is
Roxbury Falls. This is a dangerous section of river – a
trap. It has a blind approach and a swift current which can and will
pull you over the falls.
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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