CWTA - Connecticut Rivers



Connecticut Water Trails Association

Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe.

- Henry David Thoreau

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Connecticut Water Trails

Connecticut Rivers

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Connecticut Water Trails Program

Connecticut Rivers

Scantic River

Site Location:

Basic Information:

The Scantic River (pronounced SKAN-tik) is a river that flows through the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut. It's tributaries rise in the towns of Hampden, MA, Wilbraham, MA, East Longmeadow, MA and Monson, MA and Stafford, CT, and Somers, CT, forming the river in the town of Hampden, MA, south-east of Springfield, Massachusetts. The Scantic flows southwest for 25 miles, through the towns and communities of Hampden, MA, Somers, Somersville, Scitico, Hazardville, Enfield, CT, East Windsor, CT, Broad Brook, Scantic, South Windsor, and East Windsor Hill, CT, until joining the Connecticut River near the East Windsor Hill community, part of South Windsor.

Type: River

Water Type: Freshwater

Length:

Season:

Site Contact Information:

Site Coordinates:

Longitude: 72.497281 ºW Latitude: 41.981029 ºN

Source:

Somers

Enfield

South Windsor

Mouth:

East Windsor -

Connecticut River:

Longitude 72.37004 ºW Latitude 41.52038 ºN

Location Maps:

Somers

Enfield One

Enfield - Scantic River Upper

Enfield Two

South Windsor

South Windsor - Scantic River

East Windsor

USGS Quadrangles:

Driving Directions:

Directions Map: Google Map

ITouch Map: Scantic River

Boat Launch Information:

ADA Access:

Site Description:

Environment:

Additional Info:

Scantic River Watershed Association | Facebook

Scantic River

Paddling The Scantic River:

Scantic River Guide

Somers To Enfield:

The access point for the first section starting just below the Somersville Dam is at the end of Quality Ave. in Somersville. The entrance to Quality Ave. is about 50 yards west of the intersection of the main traffic light in Somersville. This section is best in the spring or during times of high water. It is suitable for a beginner/novice canoeist or kayaker. The take out point is before the dam at Springborn Labs. There is also an excellent hiking trail along the river in the Scantic River Rapids State Park(Longitude 72.532178 ºW Latitude 41.924399 ºN ), which leads to the historical ruins left over from the Powder Mill.

The next section from the Springborn Labs dam to South Maple Street is for experienced Class II paddlers and is not recommended for the Novice. The river can be portaged or scouted on river right about 200 yards downstream from the dam. This area is called Stockers Rip and from here to the South Maple Street Bridge in Enfield is about 2 miles. The take out is on the right bank after the bridge.

Stafford & Hampden

The origin of the Scantic River emerges from Tray Hollow and Culver Pond in Stafford. The beginnings of the river are very swampy and difficult to define but become clearer as it reaches the town of Hampden. It also takes a small turn into the town of Munson.

Not much of the river is navigable. There is an access point at Laughing Brook which takes you down river towards the center of town; however, it is important to take out around the VFW building as there is a dam just beyond there. Much of this area has open fields on both sides with some residential areas. It is apparent that many of the residents have an interest in the river and use it on occasion.

Minnechoag Mountain rises to the left going down stream. It is reported that there are some interesting hiking trails in this area.

Mill Pond In Somersville To Durkee Road

The easiest access point to the northern section of the Scantic is at Mill Pond in Somersville, which has been created by a dam at the same point. Good fishing as well. As you enter the pond be sure to bear off left – the dam is to the right. You will continue on, meandering through the pond until it narrows and becomes the river. The first landmark is at the intersection with Route 190 where you will go under the bridge – just beyond is another access point on the left.

The river becomes narrower after this point and further along there are some weeds that may inhibit your trip when the river is low. The next access point is just before the bridge that crosses Four Bridges Road. All through this area you will find good fishing spots as well as viewing for birds and other wildlife. As you approach Durkee Road you will enter an area known as the “SCANTIC RIPARIAN AREA”. The area on the left has been procured by the Northern CT Land Trust and has been enhanced by its volunteers to create a lovely hiking trail along the edge of the river. Over a hundred species of birds have been sighted or heard. Also over 60 varieties of wildflowers have been identified. At this time access to this delightful area is easier from Durkee Road until work parties have time to clear the river.

Somersville Dam To Powder Hollow

This section of the river is where the famous “SCANTIC SPRING SPLASH” downriver canoe and kayak race is held each year. It is usually held the last weekend in March and people from all over the east coast come to participate in this exciting and challenging race.

The access point for the first section starting just below the Somersville dam is at the end of Quality Ave. in Somersville. The entrance to Quality Ave. is about 50 yards west of the intersection of the main traffic light in Somersville. This section is best in the spring or during times of high water. It is suitable for a beginner/novice canoeist or kayaker. The take out point is before the dam at Springborn Labs. There is also an excellent hiking trail along the river in the Scantic River Rapids State Park, which leads to the historical ruins left over from the Powder Mill.

The next section from the dam to South Maple Street is for experienced Class II paddlers and is not recommended for the Novice. The river can be portaged or scouted on river right about 200 yards downstream from the dam.

This area is called Stockers Rip and from here to the South Maple Street Bridge in Enfield is about 2 miles. The take out is on the right bank after the bridge.

Other areas in Enfield are not navigable at this time.

Town Farm Road In Enfield To Mahoney Rd. In East Windsor

There are several access points going downstream from Enfield through East Windsor towards its confluence with the Connecticut River in East Windsor Hill. You can start at Town Farm Road in Enfield - the next point would be in Melrose around the remains of the suspension bridge – on to the next point at the filter beds, they just before the remains of another bridge – the last take out point is at Mahoney Rd.

This is truly a beautiful stretch of the Scantic. There is a good deal of undeveloped land on both sides of the river since the adjacent property is owned by the Town of East Windsor and the State of Connecticut. Due to this there is considerable protection for wildlife such as songbirds, muskrat, deer, owls, and beaver. Since there are many overhanging trees, it is also home to a variety of fish.

The one caveat, however, is that there are many fallen trees blocking the river particularly in the area from Town Farm Rd. to Melrose.

Site History:

Named for the Scantuck Indians, the Scantic River watershed drains some 90,000 acres in Connecticut and Massachusetts. It is fed by several small tributaries, of which many are considered “Class A” water quality (suitable for drinking).

The Town of Hampden, Mass., settled in 1841, contains a substantial number of Scantic River miles and in the past, these miles hosted a number of flourishing mills. Dependent upon the Scantic’s water power, the mills prospered but as the years passed a lack of transportation from mill site to market made commerce increasingly difficult until gradually the mill wheels fell silent. Ruins of the mills are still evident.

Host of seasonal runs of shad and salmon, the river was a source of food, waterpower and irrigation for early settlers of the area. In the 1800’s, Colonel Augustus Hazard founded the Hazard Powder Company, on the banks of the Scantic in what became Hazardville. The company supplied the Union armies during the Civil War with much of its gunpowder. The Hazard Powder Company disappeared in a mighty blast in 1913; however, some of the foundations are still intact and the area is now known as “Powder Hollow”.

In 1728, Ebenezer Grant of East Windsor built a shipyard at the confluence of the Scantic and Connecticut Rivers. Located just below the Enfield Rapids, the enterprise thrived until some time after 1812, when it gradually came to a close.