Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Paddling Trails Hockanum River Paddling Trail
USGS Quadrangle: Rockville, Manchester, and Hartford North Type of Water: Paddle Length:
On The Water:
The river originates in
Shenpsit Lake on the border of Ellington, Tolland, and Vernon
and then flows west to the
Connecticut River in East Hartford.
Cautions:
This is a notorious flash river quickly rising and falling USGS Real Time Water Data / Gauge: Portage:
Rockville Section
– Talcottville Section, Vernon
USGS Quadrangle:
Rockville and Manchester
Type of Water:
Quickwater
Paddle Length:
7 miles
Portage:
Put-In:
Windsorville Road
Longitude:
72.48367399999999 W
Latitude:
41.86506
N
Take Out:
Tankerhoosen River
Longitude:
72.443175 W
Latitude:
41.838573 N
On The Water: The river in Vernon is very small and flowing
through backyards and can only be paddled in high water. There are three
dams in the Rockville section. The put in is at Windsorville Road. The 2 miles to I-84 are flat and winding quickwater
with blockages along the way. Shortly below I-84 enters the
Tankerhoosen River
followed by a footbridge.
Cautions:
Talcottville Section, Vernon – Powder Mill Plaza,
East Hartford
USGS Quadrangle:
Manchester
Type of Water:
Quickwater, Class I & II
Paddle Length:
6.5 miles
Portage:
Union
Pond Dam – 1.25 miles in – 50 yards Powder Mill Dam – 6.5 miles in – 20 yards
Put-In: West
Street
Longitude: 72.537099 W
Latitude:41.766482
N
Take Out:
Powder Mill Shopping Plaza, East Hartford
Longitude:
72.585769 W
Latitude: 41.783831
N
On The Water: The stretch of river through Manchester is usually
free of obstacles. It is a larger section but still only runnable after
rain. The first mile is
quickwater running between
I-84 and
Connecticut Route 83. After the high
exit ramp bridge – the river drops over a series of ledges that can be
Class II & III in high water. Scout the river first by using the Beacon
Light parking lot – across form an old brick mill off of Connecticut
Route 83,
Oakland Street. – You need to portage on the left. After the rapids you enter
Union Pond. Portage the dam
on the left side. You can access the river by going down the steps
between the dam and the
Union Street bridge. The next 2 miles are filled with tight turns and
winding quickwater. The river passes under several bridges. After the
Hilliard Street bridge - your 4th bridge - the rivers enter a
stretch of low flatwater with many bends which lead to the
Connecticut
Route 44 bridge. The USGS map will show a lake which no longer exists
because of a breached dam. The old Powder Mill dam is about a 10 minute paddle
below the triple I-84 bridges. You need to portage on the right hand
side behind McDonalds and a tall concrete wall. – You might need to get
permission in advance to use the fences behind the Powder Mill shopping
plaza.
Cautions:
Powder Mill Plaza, East Hartford – Connecticut
River
USGS Quadrangle:
Manchester and Hartford North
Type of Water:
Flatwater, Tidal
Paddle Length:
5.5 miles
Portage:
Scotland Road Dam – 1 mile in – 10 yards
Church Street Dam – 1.25 miles in – 10 yards Dam below Church Street – 1.5 miles in – 10 yards
Put-In:
Powder
Mill Shopping Plaza, East Hartford
Longitude:
72.585769 W
Latitude: 41.783831
N
Take Out:
Charter Oak Landing, Hartford
Longitude 72.393060 W Latitude Or
Take Out:
Great River Boat Launch,
East Hartford
Longitude:
72.537099 W
Latitude:
41.766482 N
On The Water: This stretch of river is mostly dam impounded or
tidewater from the Connecticut River. This section has gentle currents
with an occasional blockage. Portage or put in on the right bank. Within 1 mile
you’ll reach a shallow millpond behind the high school. The Scotland Road bridge is around the corner, stay
to the right side of the river. Then there will be a 15 foot dam after the bridge
which will require you to portage on the right side close to the
spillway. Use extreme care during high water here. There is a parking
lot next to here. You will quickly encounter two more dams. They can
be carried in one portage about 1,000 feet – behind the brick mill and
down to Church Street – or paddled and portaged individually – but scout
them out first. The first portage is to the right and the second to the
left. This is followed by a series of ledges only runnable
in high water. The third portage is to the left and very difficult.
A short riffle follows the lower dam. There is a good access at
Hill Side Street on to the left
of the river before the bridge. After 3 miles of flatwater the river flows into a
large pond. After another 1.5 miles the river passes a sewage treatment
plant and then flows into the
Connecticut River at the
Charter Oak Bridge. There are two take outs
Cautions:
The information here is based upon the best available information presently available. If you find and error or have a written description of a water trail we have not included - please contact us
Maps On This Website Are Powered By:
This site utilizes Google base maps to create a faster, more accessible,
and much more user friendly mapping application that provides detailed
information on launch and landing sites, camp sites, restaurants, lodging,
and sites of interest along the various
water trails.
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