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| Heading out from Route 165 |
The Wood River is a National Wild and Scenic River that flows 25-miles from its source near Sterling, CT to the Village of Alton where it merges into the Pawcatuck. There are two sections of the Wood River which are popular with paddlers – the upper Wood River from Route 165 in Exeter to the Wyoming Dam with a portage at the Barberville Dam, and the lower Wood River from Switch Road in Richmond to Alton with a portage at the Woodville Dam.
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| Crossing Frying Pan Pond |
The river was low, but still fluid - 2 ft, 70 cfs at Hope Valley gage; 3 ft, 35 cfs at Arcadia gage. It twists and turns through the woodlands of the Arcadia Management Area. In many spots, there was just enough water to float over, and there were numerous blow-downs to maneuver around. We passed several fishermen trying their luck on this popular fly-fishing stream. After a couple of miles, the river opened up as we paddled into Frying Pan Pond.
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| Take-out at Wyoming Dam |
The quickwater continued below the dam until Skunk Hill Road where the impoundment for the Wyoming Dam begins. It was an easy paddle down to the Wyoming Dam, but the pond's infestation with milfoil was very apparent. It would probably be difficult to paddle across later in the season. We finished up by around 2:30. Great trip.
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