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Paddle
and Event Details
Paddles
Saturday,
May 14 - TLGV Member Paddle on
the Shetucket River
Join
TLGV as we paddle the beautiful Natchaug and
Shetucket Rivers from Willimantic to Sprague. This
stretch of the river offers scenic views,
exceptional wildlife habitat and enjoyable
paddling. We'll be starting on the Natchaug River
in Willimantic and paddling to its confluence with
the Willimantic River, which forms the Shetucket
River, then down the Shetucket River to Sprague
River Park in Baltic. This will be a paddle of
more than 10 miles with some class 1 segments
(depending on water levels), as well as about 1½
mile of flat water. At the mid point of the
paddle, there is an easy portage at the Scotland
Dam, and we'll stop at that location for a lunch
break. 9:00
am - 3:00 pm. You
must be a TLGV member to register for this
trip. For more information and
to sign up for the paddle, please call Bill
Reid at 860-774-3300 or email bill@tlgv.org.
Saturday,
May 14 - Killingly River Fun Race Day
This
relay race celebrates the Quinebaug River Trail
and will be fun and challenging for
everyone. Enter a team of up to 5 members or
try it solo - .7 mile run, 2 mile kayak or canoe
paddle, 1 mile just wheels, and 1 mile
bike ride. $100 cash prize for the
winner. Ages 12 and up. Registration
fee of $25 by 4/29 or $35 day of race. For
all the details, contact Killingly Parks and
Recreation, 860-779-5390, email recreation@killinglyct.org, or
visit www.killinglyct.gov then click
on Town Departments Parks and Recreation
Special Event Tab.
Saturday,
May 21 - Willimantic Riverfest
7th Annual Willimantic
River-Hike, and canoe/kayak trips begin at 8:30 am
and converge at the Railroad Museum beside the
river off Bridge Street in Willimantic.
There is a fee to cover insurance
costs. Register for these trips
at Bridge Street, and then shuttle to
the beginning of the trip
(paddling trip is 12 miles
starting at Eagleville Dam). For more
information, contact 423-6389.
Saturday,
May 21 - French River Paddle
Launch
at 9am from the pond below Hodges Village Dam on
Howarth Road in Oxford, paddle to North Webster.
Paddlers must have their own canoe and PFD's are
required. Space is limited, you must pre-register.
Explore coves filled with wildlife on this
leisurely paddle. Hosted by the French River
Connection. Contact Jay Wade.
Saturday,
May 21 - Ride the Shetucket
The
Town of Sprague in conjunction with First Light
Power Resources
will
resume Ride the Shetucket events for 2011.
Once monthly during the warm weather season a
scheduled water release from Scotland Dam will
take place allowing a water level high enough to
paddle or tube from below Scotland Dam to river
Park in Baltic. The Town of Sprague will provide a
free shuttle between River Park and Scotland
Dam. Water release is scheduled for 10:00 am
on days of the event. Participants can put in any
time between 10:00 and 12:00. You can ride the
river as many times as water level allows. The
ride is 4 miles long and takes approximately 2
hours. Dates for 2011 are: April 30, May 21,
June 25, and July 30. August and September dates
to be announced. Since Ride the Shetucket is
weather sensitive, check the town website on the
Thursday prior to the event for any cancellation
postings. Paddlers need to have PFD's and a
distress whistle. www.ctsprague.org.
Sunday,
May 22 - French River Paddle
1
- 3 p.m. Sponsored by Mass. Audubon's
Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. The
French River flows south from Leicester to Dudley,
before joining the Quinebaug River in
Connecticut. The meandering section from
Leovich Landing to Hodges Village dam offers great
canoeing and wildlife, and is a great way to spend
a spring afternoon. Bring binoculars if you
have them; canoes, paddles, PFDs are
provided. Directions will be provided to
participants upon registration. Trip
leaders: Cindy Dunn - Conservation
Coordinator; Lisa Mattson - Naturalist.
Fee: Adults $9.00/members;
$14/non-members. Click here or call
978-46402712 to sign up or for more info.
Saturday, May
28th - French River Paddle
Join
Ranger Jean for a slow trip through the marshes
and on down the French River. Paddlers may fish
along the way. You may have to portage your boat
around 1 or more beaver dams but everyone helps
out. Shoes may get wet. Limited to 20
sailors, 16 years and up. 6- 9 am. Life
jackets a must. Veterans receive ranger
stickers! After the paddle, if you can,
please help Ranger Ken with his cleanup (see
Buffumville website below). To sign up, call
Jean @ 508-248-5697 or email claudia.j.hixson@usace.army.mil.
Saturday,
June 4 - Family Cruise on the Willimantic
River
Easy
flatwater trip for canoes and kayaks from River
Park to Eagleville Lake. Choice of short or
long (two mile) round trip.
Bring your own boat.
Life jackets required for all
participants. Bring water,
lunch optional. Moderate to
heavy rain cancels. Time: 10 am
to noon. Meet at River Park on
Plains Road in Mansfield. Sponsored by Willimantic
River Alliance and Mansfield Parks and Recreation
Department. For information,
call 429-3015 x 204.
Saturday,
June 4 - Quinebaug River Water Trail -
Thompson
Join
park rangers on a 5-mile paddle down the Thompson
section of the Quinebaug River Water Trail from
Fabyan Dam to West Thompson Lake. We will
encounter both fast moving water (but no rapids)
and flat water with no portages along the
way. We will view extensive
wildlife habitat. 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. There
is a 20-boat limit. Sponsored by U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers. Heavy rain
cancels. Pre-registration is REQUIRED.
Questions and to register: contact Cathy Dunlap,
(860) 923-2982, or email catherine.d.dunlap@usace.army.mil.
Saturday, June 4 -
Poquetanuck Cove Paddle
An easy flat water paddle
at high tide through narrow, 2-mile tidal
embayment of the Thames River. Discover a
significant coastal habitat and designated state
bird sanctuary. Learn about ongoing efforts to
control damaging invasive plants. Bring your own
canoe/kayak, personal flotation device, beverage
and snack. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsored
by Avalonia Land Conservancy, Inc. Meet Anne
Roberts-Pierson and David Bainbridge at the public
access car-top boat launch at end of Royal Oaks
Drive (off Arrowhead Drive, Ledyard). Heavy rain
cancels. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Questions
and to register: contact Anne Roberts-Pierson,
(860) 464-8101.
Sunday,
June 5 - Quinebaug River Water Trail - Putnam to
Pomfret
Join
Bill Reid and Lois Bruinooge on a fun-filled
5-mile Quinebaug River
paddle. The adventure
begins at Simonzi Park (Kennedy Drive, Putnam) and
ends downstream at the Route 101 bridge
(Pomfret). The first segment parallels
Kennedy Drive and Interstate 395, so the sounds of
civilization are part of the experience. Farther
along, the river passes between agricultural
fields and several gravel operations. This is a
pleasant and beautiful stretch of the river.
Expect current, some quick-water and flat-water,
but no portages. It is an outing for paddlers who
are comfortable with moving water. Sponsored by
The Last Green Valley, Inc. 9:00 am to
noon. Pre-registration is REQUIRED.
Questions and to register: contact Bill Reid,
860-774-3300 or bill@tlgv.org.
Saturday,
June 11 - Paddle For A Cure
It
will be the same as a walk-a-thon BUT WE WILL BE
PADDLING not walking. All the money we raise will
be going to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, CT for
The Oncology Foundation. Organized by Five
Mile Outfitters at 99 Commerce Ave., Danielson,
CT. Sign up on site at 9 am if not already
pre-registered. Paddle starts at 10
am. For every $50 raised you will get a
raffle ticket for a FREE Vapor 10 XT Kayak -
limited Black Cherry color. Our goal is to
get 100 paddlers. If each
paddler could ask 10 people for $10, we can raise
$10,000 for our local hospital. For more
information, please contact Lance Collins at
grainer1982@yahoo.com.
Or check out the Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paddle-for-a-Cure/172846329425670
Tuesday,
June 14 - Full-moon Paddle
Join
TLGV Water Trails Steering Committee members for
an evening paddle under a full moon.
Location to be determined - suggestions?
Saturday,
June 25 - Ride the Shetucket
The
Town of Sprague in conjunction with First Light
Power Resources
will
resume Ride the Shetucket events for 2011.
Once monthly during the warm weather season a
scheduled water release from Scotland Dam will
take place allowing a water level high enough to
paddle or tube from below Scotland Dam to river
Park in Baltic. The Town of Sprague will provide a
free shuttle between River Park and Scotland
Dam. Water release is scheduled for 10:00 am
on days of the event. Participants can put in any
time between 10:00 and 12:00. You can ride the
river as many times as water level allows. The
ride is 4 miles long and takes approximately 2
hours. Dates for 2011 are: April 30, May 21,
June 25, and July 30. August and September dates
to be announced. Since Ride the Shetucket is
weather sensitive, check the town website on the
Thursday prior to the event for any cancellation
postings. Paddlers need to have PFD's and a
distress whistle. www.ctsprague.org.
Saturday,
July 30 - Ride the Shetucket
See
above.
Events
Saturday, May
21 - Perryville Trace Walk
10 - 11a.m. Meet where
Perryville Road, now closed for bridge
construction, crosses the French River in Webster.
Not accessible from the Dudley side. The walk is
one mile round trip along the river. The Trace has
been designated one of "the 1000 greatest places"
by the Massachusetts Department of Travel and
Tourism. Hosted by the French River
Connection. Contact Elaine Parker.
Friday,
June 24 - Thames River
Basin Partnership Floating
Workshop
This
year's floating workshop will focus on the French
River and Webster Lake. Please contact Jean
Pillo at 860-928-4948 or jean.pillo@conservect.org.
Saturday, August 6
- Dam Trail Race
Two trail races,
approximately 5.5 and 11 miles at Hodges Village
in Oxford. The gun goes off at 9a.m. If you're a
trail runner, this is for you.
Fundraiser for the French River Connection.
Contact John Grenier.
Saturday,
August 13 - Perryville Trace Walk
10 - 11a.m. Meet where
Perryville Road, now closed for bridge
construction, crosses the French River in Webster.
Not accessible from the Dudley side. The walk is
one mile round trip along the river. The Trace has
been designated one of "the 1000 greatest places"
by the Massachusetts Department of Travel and
Tourism. Hosted by the French River
Connection. Contact Elaine Parker.
August
20- French River
Park Opening and
Dedication
Celebrate
a new park and canoe/kayak access point on the
French River in downtown Webster. Ribbon
cutting at 11 a.m., music, food, and fun until
4 p.m. For more information,
see the French River Connection website,
www.frenchriverconnection.org.
Ongoing
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
organizes water-related events throughout the
year. Check their websites regularly for
current events. The Buffumville Lake staff
have posted some particularly intriguing
events!
Buffumville
Lake
Hodges Village
Dam
E. Brimfield
Lake
Westville Lake
Mansfield Hollow and West
Thompson Lake
See you on the
water!
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