|
Connecticut Water Trails
Program
Watersheds -
Connecticut Watersheds
Hockanum River Watershed
Hockanum River Watershed
Before colonial times, the Hockanum River was used
by Native Americans as a source of fish and as a travel route to the
Connecticut River. Three Native American populations lived in the
watershed: the Podunks of East Hartford and Manchester, the Nipmucks of
Ellington and Tolland, and the Mohegans near the river's mouth. Although
there were no permanent settlements along the river, temporary
encampments were common.
Near Rockville, the Hockanum River descends rapidly
from Shenipsit Lake. Along this stretch of river there were a dozen or
more waterfalls that were once suitable sites for waterpower
development. During the 18th and 19th centuries, mills were built
near these waterfalls. Textile and paper industries harnessed its
hydraulic power to run machinery.
Over time, the Hockanum River has been host to over
100 mills. Some still exist, including a paper mill in East Hartford (Cellu
Tissue Corp.) that is the oldest continuously running plant, making the
same product, in the United States. A few have also been converted for
contemporary residential and commercial use. However, most of the mills
have long since closed.
Shade and broadleaf cigar tobaccos were grown
extensively in the western region. Due to changing techniques in
processing tobacco leaves, rising property taxes and increasing
operational costs, many farmers sold out or switched to other types of
agriculture. Recent changes in the international marketplace have
brought back a resurgence of tobacco production in the upper river
valley.
Today the Hockanum River provides mainly
recreational uses for Connecticut residents. An annual canoe/kayak race
in Manchester brings many enthusiasts to the river. Hiking trails,
created by the Association's Vernon, Manchester, East Hartford and
Ellington linear park committees, offer quick and easy access to the
natural beauty of the river. Manchester alone has about 15 miles for
hiking and leisurely strolls.
Most of the Hockanum River trail network is well
suited to the casual hiker who wants to amble along flat terrain in a
forest with a river on one side and an undeveloped area on the other.
The Connecticut DEP stocks and monitors game fish in the river (in
Manchester as catch and release only); while in addition to hiking many
of the trails are also appropriate for cross-country skiing and
snowshoeing. Future trails are planned around Shenipsit Lake, and
eventually the whole system will link up to the Connecticut River trail
network.
|
