Riverton - June 26, 2021

Six paddlers from five states (RI, MA, CT, NY and NJ) representing 4 clubs (HRCK, RICKA, AMC-CT, AMC-NY/NJ) in a wide range of boats met at a central location in CT to do the 11-mile run on the Farmington River from Riverton to Satan’s Kingdom.

Bill and I arrived early and took a walk down to the Satan’s Kingdom rapid – brought back memories of hanging out down there with Matt and Scott. We put-in below the Goodwin Dam off Hogback Road, and took out at the parking lot at the Satan’s Kingdom State Recreation Area – about 11 miles. The river was running low - 300 cfs from Goodwin Dam and 35 cfs from the Still River. We spent most of our time dodging rocks and trying to avoid the shallow spots. Still a nice day.

Links:

My Pictures

Paul's Pictures

River Description from American Whitewater

Riverton Poling - August 3, 2014

After two weeks of paddling on saltwater, it was nice to get out on a freshwater river.  On the last day of my vacation, I met up with Matt to go poling on the Riverton Section of the Farmington. 

The first time I did this trip with Matt was back in 2006. It’s a bit of a drive for me, but it is always worth it.  The river was running at about 500 CFS (400 cfs from Goodwin Dam and 100 cfs from the Still River).  It's a great level for poling, but a little too low for paddling.  Flatwater sections are interspersed with quickwater and easy rapids.

We put-in below the Goodwin Dam off Hogback Road.  The initial section was shallow and rocky, but has some great spots to practice attaining.  After passing the old Hitchcock Chair Factory the Still River joins on the left adding to the flow. The river then enters the American Legion/Peoples State Forests. 

Further downstream, fishermen lined the banks for most of the trip.  We got a few scowls as we passed, but most of them were  OK.  We took out at the parking lot at the Satan’s Kingdom State Recreation Area – about 10 miles. 

Links:
My Pictures

Riverton section of the Farmington - July 21, 2013

We had a nice group for a rare summer run on the Riverton section of the Farmington.  We had 2 canoes (me and Matt) and 5 kayaks (Scott, Tim, Al, Norma and Robin) - an interesting assortment of boats. 

We put in below the Goodwin Dam off Hogback Road and took out at the Satan’s Kingdom parking lot.  The river was running at 600 cfs (525 cfs from Goodwin, 75 cfs from the Still) – low but still fluid. It’s about a 12-mile run with some flatwater, some quickwater, and a few easy rapids. I brought my Yellowstone and it was great, but this also would have been a nice level for poling.

I forgot how much I like this river.  

Tim and Matt do some surfing

Links:

My pictures
Video from Tim
River description from American Whitewater

Farmington Poling – November 17, 2012

With Chuck below the Goodwin Dam

We had a nice group yesterday on the Riverton Section of the Farmington.  Chuck and I joined Tommy, Matt, Scott, Fred and Sharon on 10-mile poling/paddling trip.

This was the first trip I did with Matt and Scott back in 2006, and I had forgotten how much I like this section of the river.  It was running at about 500 cfs (400 cfs from Goodwin Dam and 100 cfs from the Still River) which is great for poling, and not bad for paddling.  Flatwater sections are interspersed with quickwater.  At higher water levels some class I/II rapids develop.  The river runs through the American Legion/Peoples State Forests.

Chuck in the High Bank Rapid

We put-in below the Goodwin Dam off Hogback Road.  The initial section was shallow and rocky, but would be a fun class I/II at higher water levels.  Matt and I poled up to the Goodwin Dam before joining the group to head downstream.  After passing the old Hitchcock Chair Factory the Still River joins on the left adding to the flow.  The river then enters the American Legion/Peoples State Forests.  We stopped for lunch at the picnic area in the Peoples State Forest before continuing downstream. 

Fishermen lined the banks as we entered the Farmington River Trout Management Area.  We got a few scowls as we passed, but most of the fishermen were OK.  The flatwater/quickwater continued down to the Route 44 bridge.  We took out at the parking lot at the Satan’s Kingdom State Recreation Area (GPS 41.8567, -72.9583).  After a beer and burger at the Crown and Hammer Pub in Collinsville we headed home.  Another great day, but aren’t they all!

Lots of different canoes!

Links:

Farmington Gage – Goodwin Dam
Still River Gage