CWTA - Connecticut Rivers - Coginchaug River



Connecticut Water Trails Association

"The song of the river ends not at her banks, but in the hearts of those who have loved her."

-- Buffalo Joe

Table Of Contents

Connecticut Water Trails

Connecticut Rivers

Connecticut Boat Launches

Connecticut Water Trails Program

Connecticut Rivers

Coginchaug River

The image “http://www.thejonahcenter.org/images/aug5nep_075%20cropped.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

Site Location:

Basic Information:

The Coginchaug River in Connecticut, with a watershed of 39 square miles (101 km²) incorporating forests, pastures, farmland, industrial, and commercial areas, is the predominant tributary of the Mattabesset River. It flows north from Durham, Connecticut through Middlefield and meets the Mattabesset in Middletown, just short of where it flows into the Connecticut River.

The Coginchaug River has become a popular route for paddlers. The river begins at Myer Huber Pond and flows with low volume through over 3 miles of difficult swamps. This should only be attempted after heavy rains. The main paddling route starts at Route 147 and continues downstream, north, through some more slow moving waters and a swamp. The Coginchaug River route has many portages while encountering six dams and one major waterfall, Wadsworth Falls. There is potential for Class II whitewater before the Coginchaug flows into the tidal marsh of the Mattabesset River .

Type: River

Water Type: Freshwater

Length:

Season:

Site Contact Information:

Site Coordinates:

Longitude 72.66205100000001 ºW Latitude 41.571751 ºN

Coginchuag River Coordinates In:

Guilford

Durham

Middlefield

Middletown

Location Maps:

Coginchuag River One

Coginchuag River Two

Coginchuag River Three

Coginchuag River Four

USGS Quadrangles:

Driving Directions:

Directions Map: Google Map

ITouch Map: Coginchaug River

Boat Launch Information:

ADA Access:

Site Description:

Environment:

Additional Info:

USGS Water Gauge Data

Google Map Of The Entire River

Paddling The Coginchaug River:

The main paddling route starts at Route 147 and continues downstream, north, through some more slow moving waters and a swamp. The Coginchaug River route has many portages while encountering six dams and one major waterfall, Wadsworth Falls. There is potential for Class II whitewater before the Coginchaug flows into the tidal marsh of the Mattabesset River.

Coginchaug River Paddling Trail

Coginchaug River Cleanup 9/29/07

Site History:

The name, Coginchaug, comes from the local Native American name for the Durham area, and it was the original name for the town. It has been said to mean "The Great Swamp", and is a reference to the meadows found in the central part of town.