A snowy day on the Shepaug – February 27th

Had a great day yesterday on the upper Shepaug in western CT. Six boats – 3 Encores (Matt, Aaron, and me), 1 Detonator (Craig), 1 Vertige (Jeff) and 1 Explorer (Tommy). Boats were getting passed around quite a bit - once Aaron got in the Detonator, I didn’t think Craig was going to get it back.

The Shepaug is one of the prettiest rivers around, but it can be tough to catch. With last week’s rain, we watched it hit 4 feet, 700 cfs on Friday – a great level if you like short fast runs with long wave trains (and who doesn’t). By the time we got on the river Saturday morning, the level had dropped to around 3 feet, 250 cfs – no big waves but plenty of water for a fluid run. 

We put in on Valley Road (off Route 341 in Woodville), and took out at Steep Rock on River Road (Washington Depot).  There is also a put in at the Rumsey Hall School on the Bantam River.  Bee Brook (on Route 47 in Washington Depot) is the usual meeting spot, and the take out when the upper is jammin' and people are doing laps. Hodge Park is the take out for the longer downstream run.

The upper reaches of the Shepaug are narrow – in some places no more that a canoe length wide. At yesterday’s level, we did a little rock dodging, but it was still fun. About half way down, the Bantam empties into the Shepaug increasing the flow significantly. There are a couple of nice surf waves on this stretch – including one along the face of a huge granite cliff. Craig caught this wave perfect. I missed it twice, bouncing off the cliff, but staying upright. On my third attempt, I took a swim – just like last time I paddled this section.

Overall – a great day.

Links:
My pictures
Video of Shepaug run from February, 2008

What a beautiful day – February 20th

After forgetting my PFD last weekend, I went back to River Island Park today to do some poling. Level was perfect (600 cfs, 2.5 ft), and the temperatures were in the high 40’s. I did a couple of laps around the island, and then pushed up through the bridge and right up to the dam.  Worked up quite a sweat, but it felt good.

Tried to go poling today – February 13th

I was busy most of the day today, but I finished up around 3:30 and decided to do some poling. I loaded my boat on the car, put on my drysuit and drove down to the river. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my PFD. It was too late to drive back home to get it, so I thought about poling without it.  In most places, the water wouldn’t be over my knees. Then again - it was late, the water was cold, and I was alone. In the end, I took a pass and headed home. Its a bummer since I won’t be able to paddle tomorrow. Oh well, better safe than sorry – especially when it comes to winter paddling.

Bernon to the Railroad Bridge – February 7th

I’ve been anxious to get out to do some paddling, so I went out down to River Island Park yesterday.  It was brutally cold and windy. On my drive down to the river I noticed that the thermometer at the bank read 15°.   That's a new record for me. I only lasted around 45 minutes - had to quit when ice started building up on the shaft of the paddle.

I went out again today for a couple of hours and it was much warmer. I put in at the Bernon Bridge and paddled down to the Providence & Worcester Railroad Bridge. The level was OK (784 cfs, 2.75 ft). The sun was out and the wind had died down. I brought my camera long to get a few pictures.

I am looking forward to the first of March when the early spring whitewater trips begin.

Links:
My Pictures

Paddling below the Woonsocket Falls - January 23rd

It was a nice day today so I headed down to River Island Park for a couple of hours. I carried my boat up to the Woonsocket Falls and was surprised to see very little water coming over the dam. Almost all the water was running through the old Thundermist Hydroelectric plant. It's the first time I've seen that. To be honest, I thought the hydro plant was closed. There were a couple of waves below the hydro plant, but otherwise it was pretty low (800 cfs, 2.8 ft). I still had a good time.

Woonsocket Falls from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Links:
Paddling beneath the Falls in August 2009
Paddling beneath the Falls in October 2009

A New Year Begins - Farmington River - Jan. 1st

Jeff, Andy, Steve and I headed out to the Farmington River yesterday for a New Year’s Day run from Collinsville down to Route 4 in Farmington. The open boats were outnumbered on this trip – 3 canoes, 13 kayaks - but definitely a nice group. The level was OK (950 cfs), but nothing spectacular – mostly a class I. Crystal had some nice surf waves, and Boateater was a fun ride.

I can report that the First Swim Award for 2010 goes to.....(insert drum roll here).....Andy - but only to check for leaks in his new drysuit. No leaks were reported.

Scenery was pretty with new snow on the ground, but it was colder than I expected.

Hope everyone has a great 2010.

Links:
My Video
River Description from American Whitewater

Scouting the Natchaug River

There are so many nice rivers in eastern CT that I have yet to paddle.  I checked out one yesterday on my way out to the Farmington - the Natchaug.  There are three sections of the Natchaug in the AMC River Guide and American Whitewater.  The river runs along Route 198 and Route 6, so the put-ins and take-outs are easy to find.

The upper section is about 5 miles long.  The run starts at the bridge off General Lyons Road and continues down to the bridge at England Road.  It runs through the Natchaug State Forest and is the site of an annual spring poling clinic.  At higher water levels (the river was at 3.5 feet on the Marcy Road Gage yesterday), it looks like this section would be mostly quickwater with a couple of class I/II rapids.

The middle section starts at England Road and runs down to the Diana's Pool Fishing Area (Diana's Pool Road off Route 198).  This section starts out with flatwater and some class II rapids, and ends with a series of small falls and cascades rated class III/IV.  This is a popular run for local kayakers.

The Lower Section is about 3 miles long.  It starts below Diana's Pool and ends at the bridge off Station Road on Route 6.  I couldn't see much of it from the road, but the river guides rate this section as quickwater/class II.

Definitely a river that I'd like to try this year.