Driving Directions:

West Thompson Lake is located in North Grosvenordale, Connecticut, easily accessible from I-395. Take Exit 99. Follow Route 200 to Thompson Center. Turn right and go 2 miles south on Route 193. Cross Route 12 at traffic light. You are now on West Thompson Road, follow the signs to the Recreation Area or continue straight over West Thompson Dam, the parking lot is on the right.

Boat Launch Information:

Access to the lake is provided through a Federally owned boat launch located on the eastern shore. The launch can be reached by taking West Thompson Road from Route 12, and turning north onto Reardon Road. The entrance to West Thompson Lake Recreation Area is 0.5 miles from this intersection.

Site Description:

Environment:

Additional Info:

Paddling West Thompson Lake

West Thompson Lake to Quinebaug River

USGS Quadrangle: Putnam

Type of Water: Reservoir, River

Paddle Length: 3 miles

USGS Real Time Water Data / Gauge: NA

Portage: None

Put In: West Thompson Lake Recreation Area

Google Map

Longitude 71.898 ºW  Latitude  41.946 ºN

Take Out: Same As Put-In

On The Water:

The lake is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. There is easy access nearly around the entire shoreline of the lake.

You can paddle north from the boat ramp towards the northern shore. Here you'll be able to paddle inlets and around small islands.

You can also paddle north into the Quinebaug River where you'll pas under abridge which is part of the 3 plus mile hiking trail around the lake. The further up river you go - the shallower the water and swifter the currents. You can paddle up about three miles before hitting really shallow water and riffles.

Site History: