Boat Launch Information:

Behind The Courtyard by Marriott is Off Exit 8 On I-84

Heading West

Get Off I-84 At Exit 8. Stay In Middle Lane  Follow Road Over I-84. At Your 5^th Light You Want To Turn Right Into Commerce Park By The Wachovia Bank. Courtyard By Marriott Is On Your Right – Parking In Back Of The Marriott - You Will See Designated Spots

Heading East

Get Off I-84 At Exit 8. Stay In The Right Lane. At Ends Of Ramp Turn Right. At Your 2^nd Light You Want To Turn Right Into Commerce Park By The Wachovia Bank. Courtyard By Marriott Is On Your Right – Parking In Back Of The Marriott - You Will See Designated Spots

Location 1:  At The Canoe/Kayak Launch Area

Across the River from this location is the junction of Limekiln Brook – a major tributary to the Still.  The Still River changes direction here – directly in front of you the Still River is flowing from the west. 
The River originates at the New York Connecticut border and flows generally west to east through the center of Danbury.  At this location, the River changes direction – to the left of you, the River curves to the north, flowing toward Brookfield and its mouth at the Housatonic River in New Milford.

Location 2:  Halfway Between Canoe Launch Area And I-84

By the big sign on the east shore. Notice the multiple ecosystems along this river corridor.  Look to the left (west shore), and you will see a flood plain.  When the river floods over, this area acts like a sponge and absorbs the overflow.  A photograph on the sign on the shore shows how this entire area was under water during a 1955 storm.

Across the River on the right (east shore), you will notice a wooded forest.  Years ago, this wooded forest was also a flood plain, but a natural succession of gradual filing of the area by leaf litter and decay raised the area to an upland character which allowed a forest of trees to take root.  The river channel provides a third type of environment.
The Still River has a duel character.  During normal flow conditions, it is a sluggish quiet and relatively shallow stream.  During storms such as Hurricane Floyd, the River rapidly rises, spills over its banks and spreads out over the flood plain.  A diversity of habitats, as occurs throughout this River corridor, is healthy for wildlife.

Location 3:  Downed Trees Behind Loew’s Theatres.

Notice the tree debris in the river.  To your left, take note of the tree that was taken down by a beaver.  On the right side, see the uprooted tree, which was most likely blown down during a storm.  Trees along the River are subject to falling in the River, which helps fish habitat, by providing “riffles” of bubbly oxygenated water, downstream from the debris, and physical structure for fish to hide and feed. Be sure to paddle so you do not get caught on the downed trees.

Location 4:  Just Beyond Route 7 Bridge, Note Overhanging Trees.

Notice the trees on the shoreline overhanging the River.  These are flood plain and riverbank trees, such as Sycamores, Cottonwoods and Silver maples.  These trees must be able to withstand periodic inundation of water in the flood plain.  Trees on a bank of a river are good for fish, as the overhanging branches provide shading, which keeps the water cool.

The tree roots stabilize the stream bank, holding the soil in place and keeping the force of the river from cutting into the flood plain.  Some of these overhanging trees may fall into the river – the wood debris in the channel provides physical structure for fish habitat.

Notice how straight and quiet the River runs.  As we float downstream from here, you will note a change, as the River breaks into 2 channels around an island.  We will be able to float either channel, one flows in a curve toward Federal Road and Stew Leonard’s.  The second channel is the short cut that flows straight through.  The two branches join together in the flood plain area behind Stew Leonard’s.  

Location 5:  Junction Of The Oxbow Island.

The big sign on land at the junction of the River’s flow explains how the River has dynamically changed the course of its own channel in the past 20 years.  In 1980, there was only one way this River flowed – the “oxbow” curve, bearing left.  However, Rivers do not like to stay in meanders.  Even in 1980, there was a force of water that was cutting into the channel at the right. 

By the 1990’s, this force of water flow cut into the right further, but we still did not have a distinct cut-through and the River was still an “Oxbow”, the island did not yet exist.  Then in 1994 the River cut all the way through the short cut.

The island in front of you is a good habitat for birds.  It is inaccessible from human disturbance.  It is surrounded by water.  It is a meadow that is punctuated by a few live and dead trees (“snags”) such as the one in front of you.  The dead trees provide a home for cavity dwellers such as woodpeckers and wood ducks.  They also host a lot of insects, which are food for many birds. The left curve of the river is usually wider and easier to paddle.

Location 6: The Bird Sanctuary.

Go up the steps and to the left for the “bird sanctuary” which is the terminus point for the Danbury section of the Still River Greenway.  The bird sanctuary is a ½ mile loop through 3 different ecosystems:  a meadow, a wetland forest and a Riverine corridor.  Take a short walk along the self-guided trail; over 35 different species of birds have been identified here.

Continues In Brookfield

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