Lower Natchaug – March 28th

The RICKA crew was heading off to run the Quabaug, but I didn’t have time, so I hooked up with Dan to run the lower Natchaug. I’ve been wanting to try this river since I scouted it in January. We got on the river by 11:00, paddled for a couple of hours, and were on our way home by 1:00 - perfect.  We put in at Diana's Pool and took out at the bridge on Station Road.  There is a small parking area to the right on Old Wilimantic Road.

The river was at 3.8 feet on the Marcy Road gage which was which was a low but runnable - would have been great with another foot of water. I definitely want to come back when its around 4.5 feet. At that level, the lower section would be a nice class II with lots of long wave trains.  Diana's Pool would be a solid class IV, comparable to the dryway - I'd skip that.  This would also be a great river to combine with the Salmon, and I still want to do the upper section.

I didn't get many pictures, but I did get a video of Dan running Michaud's Hole - he made it look easy.


Dan running Michaud's Hole on the Natchaug River from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.