CWTA - Connecticut Rivers - Saugatuck River



Connecticut Water Trails Association

The river delights to lift us free, if only we dare to let go. Our true work is this voyage, this adventure.

- Richard Bach

Table Of Contents

Connecticut Water Trails

Connecticut Rivers

Connecticut Boat Launches

Connecticut Water Trails Program

Connecticut Rivers

Saugatuck River

Site Location:

Basic Information:

The Saugatuck River is a short river in southwestern Connecticut in the United States, approximately 25 mi (40 km) long. It drains part of suburban and rural Fairfield County west of Bridgeport, emptying into Long Island Sound.

The Saugatuck River issues from Wataba Lake (562 feet above sea level) approximately 4 mi (6 km) southwest of Danbury near the New York border. It flows generally southeast, passing through the Saugatuck Reservoir (283 feet above sea level), then turns SSW. Near Westport, it broadens into a navigable estuary along its lower 5 mi (8 km) and enters Long Island Sound approximately 4 mi (6 km) southeast of Norwalk. Interstate 95 crosses the river near its mouth downstream from Westport.

At Westport, Route 136 crosses the river on the Bridge Street Bridge, built in 1882, the oldest surviving moveable bridge in Connecticut. The moveable section consists of a hand-cranked swing span made of two pin-connected Pratt trusses. The river is wadeable along much of its course and is a popular seasonal destination for trout fishing. The Bridge Street Bridge replaced a wooden truss structure erected in 1873. Before that, a ferry service, started in 1746, helped passengers cross the river.

Type: Tidal River

Water Type: Freshwater / Tidal

Length: 25 miles

Season:

Site Contact Information:

Site Coordinates:

Longitude 73.372343 ºW Latitude 41.105701 ºN

Redding

Weston

Westport

Location Maps:

Saugatuck River One

Saugatuck River Two

Saugatuck River Three

USGS Quadrangles: Sherwood Point

Driving Directions:

The public boat ramp is off South Compo Road. Reached from exit 17 on I 95, straight off ramp, left on Riverside Drive, right on Greens Farms Road and right onto South Compo Road. Launch is on the right just under I 95.

Directions Map: Google Map

ITouch Map: Saugatuck River

Boat Launch Information:

Saugatuck River Boat Launch

ADA Access:

Site Description:

Environment: Tidal River

Additional Info:

USGS Water Gauge

Saugatuck River Watershed Partnership

Gorham's Island

Longitude 73.363174 ºW Latitude 41.143985 ºN

Paddling The Saugatuck River:

Saugatuck River Paddling Trail One

Westport Coastal Paddling

Westport Coastal Paddling Access

Paddling The Saugatuck River:

USGS Quadrangle: Westport

Type of Water: River

Paddle Length: 7 miles

USGS Real Time Water Data / Gauge: NA

Portage: None

Put In: Lyons Plain, Weston

Google Map

Longitude: 73.346667 °W Latitude: 41.225 °N

Take Out:

There are several possible take out points:

50 yards north of the US 1 bridge on the east side of the river. There are five huge stone steps.
The second is south of US1 bridge downriver on the east side. You will see stone steps – but it is difficult to get out of your boat.
The third possible take out is Saugatuck River Boat Launch

Google Map

Longitude 73°22'2.29"W Latitude 41° 7'14.44"N

On The Water:

The put in is at Lyons Plains in Weston. It is a 7 mile paddle through the woods to tidewater. There are a few small dams with short portages / carries. Take out at the bridge continue half a mile to Westport, or continue and additional mile and a half to Saugatuck where you can take out at US 1 Bridge.

Cautions:

The section of the river below the bridge is affected by the tides and always passable during high and mid tide. You will be hindered by mudflats during low tide.

Site History:

In the 17th century the river was the site of a Paugusset settlement. The name of the river means "river that flows out" in the Paugusset dialect. The land east of the river was opened to white settlement in 1637 after the defeat of the Pequot by John Mason in the Pequot War. After treaties with the local tribes, members of the Connecticut Colony began to settle the area between the Saugatuck and the Norwalk Rivers to the west between 1639 and 1661. In the 18th century farming villages sprang up along the river, which was the principal means of transportation. During the 19th century, the lower river became the site of warehouses and shipyards, as well as important hub of maritime commerce. The town of Westport was incorporated out of the existing village of Saugatuck at the mouth of the Saugatuck River and several surrounding communities in 1835.