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CURRENTS FROM SOURCE TO
SEA
Welcome
to the late June 2011
edition of The
Last Green Valley's periodic e-newsletter designed
to keep you up-to-date on paddles and river
events, water trail development, issues of
concern, and success stories throughout the
watershed. If you'd like to
submit something for the next edition, please send
your information to Lois
Bruinooge. | |
Get Involved!
 The next meeting of the
Water Trails Steering Committee
will be held on Tuesday, July
19, from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at TLGV's
office in Danielson. The stream
gauges funded by RICKA (see article below) have
arrived and we need to come up with a plan for
distributing and installing them at the six
Quinebaug River sites discussed at the last
meeting (Holland Pond, Fabyan, Putnam, Danielson,
Plainfield, and Canterbury).
John
Monroe is continuing to work on the Quinebaug
River Paddle Guide and he will be contacting
volunteers soon to edit individual sections and to
provide more photos.
We
will also discuss the Water Trail Ranger
Stewardship Plan ("Adopt-A-Landing") program that
we began to develop at the last meeting. We
are looking for volunteers to monitor and document
the condition of the region's canoe and kayak
access sites throughout the year. It's
important to find and document erosion, invasive
species, trash, and vandalism problems in order to
correct them quickly. Please join
us!
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Quinebaug
River Water Trail
Receives National Recognition
Congratulations
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for obtaining
National Recreation Trail status for the Quinebaug
River Water Trail between Fabyan and West Thompson
Lake in Thompson, CT.
This
section of the Quinebaug River is an enjoyable 5
mile flat water paddle with some quick water
sections and no portages. The Water
Trail provides excellent examples of a riverine
environment and the geological developments in the
valley.
Wildlife
abounds, including turtles, great blue herons,
green herons, geese, ducks, muskrats, beavers, red
foxes, deer, turkeys, hawks, belted kingfishers,
and various song birds. Bald eagles have
also been sighted, usually in late winter and
early spring. When you look closely along the edge
of the river in the summer, you may see some
remains of fresh water mussels or piles of fish
scales and bones - a sure sign of an otter.
For
more detailed information about the Fabyan to W.
Thompson segment, click here to access the
Corps' new Water Trail page. 
This
is the second National Recreation Trail
designation for the Quinebaug River Water
Trail through Corps of Engineers property.
The first segment is located in Holland and
Brimfield, MA. Click here for more
information about the Massachusetts
segment. (Please note: due to damage
and debris from recent severe storms, the
Quinebaug River Canoe/Water Trail in Massachusetts
is closed until further notice.)
Click here to access the TLGV
Water Trails page for an overview of the Quinebaug
River Water Trail plus other great places to
paddle in the watershed.
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RICKA
Awards Grant to
Improve Paddling Safety
The
Last Green Valley is pleased to announce that it
has received a $250 grant from the Rhode Island
Canoe/Kayak Association (RICKA) to improve
paddling safety on the Quinebaug River. TLGV
has used the grant funds to purchase stream gauges
(similar to yardsticks) that will be installed at
six put-in and take-out locations on the Quinebaug
River. The gauges will assist paddlers in
determining whether water levels are too high or
too low for a safe and enjoyable paddling
adventure.
The
Last Green Valley's water trail system offers
tremendous opportunities for outdoor recreation
close to home and can also boost tourism by
drawing paddlers from outside the region. We are
grateful to RICKA for helping us provide paddlers
with the information they need to navigate these
waters safely.
The
Rhode Island Canoe/Kayak Association was formed to
develop and promote boating and water safety
practice through programs and clinics; to provide
members with the opportunity for recreational
paddling; to provide members with instruction and
training in paddling techniques; to promote and
sponsor competitive paddling events which may
benefit various charities in the community; to
enable members to speak with a common voice on
matters of concern to the paddlers; and to educate
members and the general public on the importance
of protecting the environment and making better
use of our natural resources. RICKA
President Bill Luther commented, "Our group has
paddled many of the rivers in eastern Connecticut
for over 30 years and we are happy to have made
this contribution. We support TLGV."
Click here for more information
about RICKA.
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Upcoming Paddles
and Events
Paddles
Tuesdays
and Wednesdays throughout the summer
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Paddle
Killingly
Paddle
Killingly is offering a series of paddles on
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings this summer.
These paddles are for anyone who is interested in
learning a bit about Killingly, water access in
Killingly, and what Killingly has to offer
paddlers of all ages and skill levels. The
majority of these paddles are on lakes, ponds, or
very slow moving waters (including some paddles
beyond the Killingly borders). Please note
that the summer paddles are informal and
unsponsored events and are at your own risk.
PFDs are required. Please check the Paddle Killingly website for a
detailed paddle schedule and disclaimers.
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. Remaining dates
for 2011 are: June 25, and July 30. August
and September dates to be announced. Since
Ride the Shetucket is weather sensitive, check the
town website (www.ctsprague.org)
on the Thursday prior to the event for any
cancellation postings. Paddlers need to have
PFD's and a distress
whistle.
Saturday,
July 30 - Ride the Shetucket
See
above.
Events
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
Mansfield Hollow
West Thompson Lake
Westville Lake
See you on the
water!
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