Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Connecticut Rivers Willimantic River
Site
Location: Basic Information:
The Willimantic River
is a tributary of the
Shetucket River, approximately 25 mi (40 km) long
in northeastern Connecticut in the New England region of the United
States. It is formed in northern Tolland County, near Stafford Springs by the confluence of Middle River and Furnace Brook. It flows south to the city of Willimantic, where it joins the Natchuag River to form the Shetucket. Along the way, it is joined by Roaring Brook, Bone Mill Brook, Eagleville Brook, Cedar Swamp Brook, Mill Brook in Coventry, Skungamaug River, Hop River, and Tenmile River.
It feeds and drains from
Eagleville Pond.
Season: Site Contact Information:
Willimantic River
Alliance P.O. Box 9193 Bolton,
Connecticut 06043 E-mail: info@willimanticriver.org Site Coordinates:
Longitude 72.21694700000001 ºW Latitude 41.711814 ºN
Willimantic River North Section
USGS Quadrangles: Driving Directions:
Directions Map: Willimantic River Water Trail - Google Map Willimantic River Water Trail Corridor - Google Map ITouch Map: Willimantic River Boat Launch Information: Launch either at Connecticut Route 32 near Stafford or Nye Holman State Park on Route 74 in West Willington. Take out at Eagleville Dam on CT route 275 in Coventry Ct. Total miles either 14 or 10. ADA Access: Site Description: Environment: Additional Info:
USGS Real Time
Water Data / Gauge
USGS Real Time
Water Data / Gauge
Real Time Water Level Gauge On The Willimantic River
Willimantic River Water Trail - Google Map Willimantic River Water Trail Corridor - Google Map Willimantic River - Stafford Springs to Eagleville
USGS Quadrangle:
Stafford Springs, South Coventry, Columbia,
Willimantic
On The Water: The river starts at Stafford Springs and flows south to merge with the Natchaug River in Willimantic where they form the Shetucket River. The river has a good current with riffles and
quickwater throughout. The road
is always nearby.
Cautions:
USGS Real Time
Water Data / Gauge
USGS Real Time
Water Data / Gauge
Stafford Springs - Eagleville
USGS Quadrangle:
Stafford Springs, South Coventry
Type of Water:
Lake, Flatwater, Quickwater
Paddle Length:
14.75 miles
Portage: Put-In: Spring
Street, Stafford (Connecticut Route 32) Longitude:
Take Out:
Eagleville Lake Longitude 72.28708 ºW Latitude 41.790975 ºN
On The Water: You can put in just below the center of Stafford
Springs where Connecticut Route 32 comes close to the river. After a
short paddle you’ll hit a broken dam with large concrete walls – stay to
the left. Then for the next several miles the river narrows and then
widens as you approach the I-84 / Connecticut Route 15 Bridge about 4.75
miles in. The river current is steady for the rest of the
trip. In West Willington at US Route 44 crosses the river – 6 miles in –
as well as several other roads before
Mansfield Depot – 12.5 miles
in – were US 44 crosses. After another 1.5 mile you’ll reach
Eagleville Lake which is impounded by
Eagleville Lake Dam.
Take out next to the dam at 14.75 miles – where there is a large parking
area.
Cautions:
Eagleville - Willimantic
USGS Quadrangle:
Stafford Springs, South Coventry, Columbia,
Willimantic
Type of Water:
Flatwater
Paddle Length:
9 miles
Portage: Put In:
Eagleville Lake / Dam Longitude 72.28708 ºW Latitude 41.790975 ºN Take Out:
Eastern Connecticut Railroad Museum Longitude:
72.218887 ºW
Latitude:
41.7126
On The Water: You’ll enter below the Eagleville Dam where the
river flows past the mouth of the
Hop
River at 5.75 miles which comes in from the right side just
below the US Route 6 bypass joins the
Shetucket River. You can take out at the Connecticut Route 66
overpass on the right side. Or take out on the left bank of the river by
Eastern Connecticut Railroad
Museum
Cautions: More Information From Willimantic River Alliance:
Canoe and Kayak Guide to the Willimantic River - Headwaters
Stafford Springs, Ellington, Willington, Tolland
Map numbers refer to the notes on river features and launch sites below.
Because river conditions and access points may change over time, use of
the information in this guide is at the sole risk of the user.
River Features 8. Ten-foot-long rock dam from RIGHT bank 9. Midstream boulder 10. Standing waves downstream of several boulders 11. Sharp turns 12. Island by first UConn well (brick building) 13. Go LEFT of island just after fourth UCONN well 14.
Warning:
Sharp RIGHT bend. Do not go straight (dead end). Make hard RIGHT turn.
Watch for blowdowns and scout beyond turn. 15. Island. Go LEFT. 16. At upper end on Eagleville Lake, watch for large
tree and turn into RIGHT channel.
Launches
L5 Heron Cove Park in Tolland Location: South River Road, .5 miles
south of Route 74; Distance from Start: 6.5 miles; Vehicle Parking:
Excellent; River Access: Excellent; Comments: Park at end of lot and carry
200 feet on gravel road to launch site.
L6 End of Jones Crossing Road in Coventry Location: End of Jones Crossing Road
off Route 195, .5 miles west of Route 32; Distance from Start: 9.9 miles;
Vehicle Parking: Good, limited; River Access: Excellent; Comments: Put in
at south side of abutment. Bridge is now gone. Tricky takeout with rips
just upstream. Private Property. L7 Merrow Meadow Park in Mansfield Location: South side of Merrow Road,
.3 miles west of Route 32; Distance from Start: 10.8 miles; Vehicle
Parking: Excellent; River Access: Very Good; Comments: On east side of
river - at Merrow Meadow Park. Excellent parking and access. On west of
river - limited parking on left. Easy 100 foot carry to good put in and
take out.
L8 River Park in Mansfield Location: North side of Plains Road
.2 miles south of Route 32; Distance from Start: 13.7 miles; Vehicle
Parking: Good/limited; River Access: Good; Comments: East side of river.
Easy carry to launch 200 feet north of Plains Road in sheltered bay. This
area is always canoeable upstream for .5 miles and downstream to
Eagleville Lake, where there is good wildlife including blue herons,
kingfishers, and beavers. It’s easy to miss the last turn to the lake.
Look for a large tree at a fork. Go right there. Canoe and Kayak Guide to the Willimantic River - Lower
River
Coventry, Mansfield Map numbers refer to the notes on river features and
launch sites below. Because river conditions and access points may change
over time, use of the information in this guide is at the sole risk of the
user. Load and print PDF: Canoe and
Kayak Guide to the Willimantic River -
Lower River Load and print PDF: detailed
Boat Launch Guide
River Features
18. Stay RIGHT above narrow channel. Do not hold onto
the large downed tree on RIGHT bank. 19. Stay RIGHT on first bend south of Route 31 bridge
to avoid gravel bar on LEFT. Pull off on RIGHT bank and scout ahead. 20. Island by first UConn well (brick building) 21. Go LEFT of island just after fourth UCONN well 22. Warning: Sharp RIGHT bend. Do not go straight (dead end). Make hard RIGHT turn. Watch for blowdowns and scout beyond turn.23. Island. Go LEFT. 24.At upper end on Eagleville Lake, watch for large
tree and turn into RIGHT channel.
Launches L9 Eagleville Dam in Coventry
Location: North
side of Route 275, .3 miles west of Route 32; Distance from Start:15.1
miles; Vehicle Parking: Excellent; River Access: Good, but rocky;
Comments: West side of river. Put in for Eagleville Lake and upstream
paddle, or, for downstream trip, take out before 15 foot dam L10 Eagleville
Dam in Mansfield
Location: S. side
of Rt. 275, .2m W of Rt. 32; Distance from Start: 15.1 miles; Vehicle
Parking: Excellent; River Access: Good; Comments: Park in lot. Carry 150
feet across Route 275 to put-in on downstream side of bridge. L11 Depot Road
in Coventry
Location: South
side of Depot Road, .1 mile west of Route 32; Distance from Start: 16.9
miles; Vehicle Parking: Fair/Good; River Access: Good. Short carry;
Comments: Roadside parking both sides of bridge. Best put in/take out on
west side of river L12 Cider Mill
Rd. in Coventry
Location: North
or south side of Cider Mill Road, west of river; Distance from Start: 18.9
miles; Vehicle Parking: Good/limited; River Access: Excellent; Comments:
Limited roadside parking, short carry to put in/take out, on west side of
river
Site History: Just upstream from the river's confluence with the Natchaug River in Willimantic, the river drops 90 feet in a mile. This steep stretch of the river was called "Wilimentuck" (land of swift moving waters) by Native Americans who visited the falls in the spring to catch fish. Mill owners dammed the river to create water power for mills at the Wilimentuck falls and at many other sites along the river and its tributaries. The river's water powered textile mills and other types of mills in Stafford Springs, South Willington, Merrow, Eagleville, and Willimantic. Today, the mills have been closed or converted to other uses, but the river continues to offer opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy its natural beauty and historic sites. Since it was the old western boundary of the incorporated City of Middletown, it was also called the West River, and also, for no known reasons, it was given other names, including the Sebethe River and the Arrawanna River. Presumably the word Mattabeseck was never considered properly euphonious, and various local individuals tried to improve on the name poetically.
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