Site Location:

Basic Information:

The Shetucket River is a tributary of the Thames River, approximately 25 mi (40 km) long, in eastern Connecticut in the United States.

It is formed at Willimantic River by the junction of the Willimantic and Natchaug rivers. It flows southeast and south. Approximately 4 mi (6.4 km) northeast of Norwich it receives the Quinebaug River and broadens into a wide estuary which stretches southeast for approximately 5 mi (8 km) and joins the Thames estuary on the south side of Norwich.

The river flows through an especially unspoiled rural section of southern New England, despite the historical prevalence of industry in the surrounding region. Parts of the rivers have been designated by the federal government as the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor. The National Park Service describes the river valley as the "last green valley" in the Boston-to-Washington megalopolis. In nighttime satellite photos, the valley appears distinctively dark amidst the lights of the surrounding urban and suburban regions.

A popular paddling route begins just east of Willimantic at Rec Park south of Route 14. The waters can be expected to be a combination of flatwater and quickwater for most of the route. Additional put-ins can be found at the Route 203 bridge, the Route 97 bridge, and a take-out at the Route 12 bridge. There are a few dams that should be avoided