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What's
fun in the watershed?
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RECREATION
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Whether
you live in the Deerfield River watershed
or just come to visit, check this page for the best places to swim,
hang out, eat, or enjoy a show |
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Some of these links
take you out of the DRWA site,
so don't forget to hit the "Back" button
to return to this page
Help
Vermonters! We really need more information on your side of the
watershed
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Also check the Deerfield River Watershed Almanac
for today's conditions and events
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Where to put in and
out for canoeing/kayaking: here is some good information written by a friend
at Zoar Outdoor,
a rafting company in Charlemont. You may want to contact them about shuttles:
they may provide this service for a fee. If they don't, check Crabapple
Whitewater and there's a third rafting outfit: North American Whitewater
800-727-4379
"The Deerfield River, besides
being an excellent river for recreation, was a unique setting for building Hydro
power Dams. The river valley was steep and narrow. The 5 dams control water
flow and divide the Deerfield River into distinctly different areas.
The power Company, PG&E
Generating, has a river phone that posts the river releases daily: 888-356-3663.
You can call after 6 pm to find out the water levels for the next day.
The best thing is take
a look at some maps of the area. Unfortunately, there is not a guide book for
the Deerfield River so the descriptions below are just to give you some landmarks
to find on a map. I figured for you to get a good picture of the river I could
start at the VT border.
The Deerfield River, as
it travels south, becomes less difficult. In Monroe Bridge, MA #5 station dam
releases water into a section known at "The Dryway". It is a classic class III-IV
section of whitewater, ideal for the experienced whitewater paddler. Average
releases range from 900 - 1100 cfs. This section is about 3 1/2 miles long and
dumps into the Bear Swamp reservoir.
The next dam is the Fife
Brook Dam, which is the starting point for many paddlers. This is also an ideal
section for flyfishing so be aware of the other users on the river. From the
dam to Zoar gap you could travel 5 miles on class I - II whitewater and take
out before (or after if you are experienced) the Zoar Gap which is a class III.
Another trip is to put
in below the Zoar Gap (another section of class I-II water) and travel to Shunpike
Rest Area which is a trip of 4 miles. Shunpike is on Rt 2 just west of the town
of Charlemont. This section is runable when they release at least 700 cfs. It
takes 2 hours for the water to go from the Dam to the Gap and another 2 hours
to Shunpike.
The third trip on this
section is to put in at Shunpike Rest Area and travel to the the Boat ramp in
Buckland just up stream of the #4 station dam. If you travel along Rt 2 and
look for the Big Indian Shop the boat ramp is across the street and west. This
trip is about 8 miles and takes most people about 2 hours to paddle. The water
is mostly class I with some class II.
The section below the
#4 station dam only runs in high water and is a class II plus section of river.
The next dam is #3 station
which is in the center of Shelburne Falls also known as the "Potholes". Most
people do not paddle this 1 mile section below the dam because of the access
and that the next dam at Gardner Falls is not that far away. I have heard some
people put in at Wilcox Hollow and paddle down to the #2 dam but there is a
portage that would require ropes to go around the Gardner Falls Dam.
Below Gardner Falls Dam
is #2 station dam. Most people put in at Bardwell Ferry Bridge which is 3 miles
below the power house. You can get to Bardswell Ferry Rd off of Shelburne Center
Rd. The trip can end 4 miles down stream at Stillwater Bridge or Cheapside Bridge
in the Greenfield/Deerfield area. The minimum amount of water which is boatable
is 400 cfs. It takes 2 hours after the release to have the water fill in this
section of river.
If you are wondering, there
is not a #1 station dam. It was planned for the Stillwater area but never built.
- Trout
Stocked Waters:
Allen Brook,Ashfield
Pond, Avery Brook
Bear River
Chickley River, Clesson Brook (Upper Branch), Cold River, Cooley Brook
Deerfield River, Dragon Brook, Dunbar Brook
Green River
Maxwell Brook McLeod Pond, Mill Brook
North River, North River (W. Branch), North Pond
Pelham Brook, Pelham Lake, Poland Brook (?)
Shattuck Brook(?), Sherman Reservoir, South River, Swift River
West Branch Brook
- Fishing the Deerfield:
Smola
story
Peters story
- Fly fishing on the Deerfield:
lower
catch-and-release reach map upper
reach map hatch
charts
- Where
to buy a license
Take virtual driving
tours of some towns in the watershed:
Updated
1/11/02
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