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During the 2025 field season, the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) launched a watershed-wide series of community paddles designed to connect people with the river and inspire stewardship. Across all paddle experiences, CRC brought 167 participants  together to paddle on the Connecticut River for experiential fun and education. 42% of participants borrowed kayaks, highlighting the need for increased access to paddling recreation opportunities, equipment, and venues. Each event brought people closer to the water and to one another.  CRC staff were thrilled to engage a range of paddlers at many levels – from beginners learning to kayak for the first time to cultural and historical paddles that deepened our collective understanding of our watershed. We cherished all of our time on the water together during this summer series. Below are some of the highlights from the different paddles. Connecticut Trails Day CRC kicked off the season on June 1st with two paddles celebrating Connecticut Trails Day . A Beginner Paddle introduced 12 participants to kayaking fundamentals, from paddle strokes to water safety, while the Intermediate Paddle brought 14 participants together to explore and appreciate Wethersfield Cove from some different viewpoints.  There was a great turnout for both of our Trails Day paddling events despite the threatening skies and rising water on the Connecticut River. The river registered well below flood stage after some persistent spring rains leading to swifter currents. Both groups stayed within Wethersfield Cove for their explorations. The higher water levels presented the groups with a terrific silver-lining opportunity: participants had the ability to paddle into areas not normally accessible, including the flood plain forest along Folly Brook. Both events led to paddlers experiencing the joy of the river and building confidence early in the paddling season. Community Connections at the Hartford Kayak & Connect The Hartford Kayak & Connect  event was held on a Friday evening, July 18th. A group of intrepid participants joined CRC to learn how to kayak and paddle around Wethersfield Cove . All participants received a paddling skills lesson to build their technical skills before heading out for a scenic sunset paddle. CRC staff were delighted to have Board of Trustees member and Great Meadows Conservation Trust  President, Tim Lewis, join the event as the location expert. Tim shared an overview of Wethersfield Cove’s history along with some information about the flora and fauna in the area. The group reveled in the abundant wildlife and nature viewing opportunities, including beaver, eagles, and osprey sightings. They were also in awe of the Connecticut River’s tidal forces at play with their kayaks. One participant captured the spirit of the event perfectly:  “I love that CRC creates these experiences to get on the water together because they want you to fall in love with the Connecticut River.” Advocacy & Awareness at Herricks & Roundy’s Coves The paddling continued north with two memorable Vermont outings. On July 19th, paddlers gathered at Herricks Cove , a designated Important Bird Area, for a morning paddle outing. Eight participants joined CRC staff. Participants shared stories, connected with neighbors, and learned about local conservation work. Kathy Urffer, CRC’s Director of Policy and Advocacy/Vermont River Steward, and Marilla Harris-Vincent, CRC’s New Hampshire River Steward, detailed CRC’s partnership work petitioning the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to have the area be considered Outstanding Resource Waters  under the Vermont Water Quality Standards. One attendee noted:  “These are really great people doing great work. I appreciate the chance to learn about these important natural resources and the upcoming opportunities to protect them while having fun and meeting neighbors!” Later in the season, CRC returned to Rockingham for another Community Paddle event on August 16th at Roundy’s Cove . Eleven people came to join CRC staff and Windham Regional Conservation Commission’s Natural Resources Planner, Margo Ghia, for a group paddle upstream to Roundy’s Cove. This paddle provided another opportunity to explore Vermont’s natural beauty while deepening understanding of this area of the Connecticut River as Outstanding Resource Waters. There were also some birthday celebrations and wildlife sightings.  Photo credit: Nancy Nutile-McMenemy Learn to Kayak in Springfield CRC hosted several Learn to Kayak sessions in Springfield, MA on July 20th and August 15th for 21 participants. The Learn to Kayak sessions were designed in partnership with Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club and Andy's Kayak Rental to help participants gain comfort and confidence on the water. CRC staff gave an overview of gear and safety information on land before launching kayaks and facilitating an introduction to key kayak strokes . Once the lesson was complete, staff and participants paddled a section of the Connecticut River in Springfield and spotted Great blue heron, osprey, and multiple short-nosed sturgeon . These sessions were designed to empower new paddlers and foster excitement for continued exploration and recreation along our waterways. “The instructors were so patient and provided great info for the group. I learned the actual strokes to effectively turn and move the kayak forward and backward. I am so pleased to know these skills.” Peskeompskut Paddle The  Peskeompskut Paddle  brought together Northeastern tribal members, The Nolumbeka Project , Connecticut River Conservancy, and Adventure East to celebrate Indigenous communities with a round-trip mishoonash (dugout canoes) , canoe, and kayak paddle on the Connecticut River. The community paddle drew over 80 participants together for time spent on the water. This powerful event intertwined culture, history, and ecology, and featured Indigenous leaders paddling traditional mishoonash while sharing songs and stories. As one attendee reflected: “It was moving to witness younger members of the tribal community learning to paddle a mishoon (dug out canoe) as their ancestors did for thousands of years.” Many attendees continued on after the paddle event to attend the Pocumtuck Homelands Festival  for the rest of the weekend.   “It was amazing to see so many people across both native and non-native backgrounds and across multiple generations who care about the river and recognize its cultural and ecological importance. I appreciated the acknowledgement that even if our ancestors came from outside the river valley, it is our responsibility as residents of it now to uplift native voices and interests to keep their cultures and ecological knowledge alive.” Looking Ahead These paddles represent more than just recreational outings. They are steps taken along the journey toward a shared vision of a living watershed, where communities, wildlife, and ecosystems can thrive together. CRC will continue to expand river recreation opportunities, build partnerships, and inspire stewardship throughout our Connecticut River watershed.  Join us in 2026 as we continue paddling with the purpose of learning, connecting, and advocating for a vibrant and resilient Connecticut River.

Valley Street Dam in Springfield, VT, before removal. Photo by Alix Kaplan. The Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) and Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC), in partnership with the Town of Springfield, began the process of removing an old dam on Valley Street on September 3 rd .    The removal of the 14’ high by 33’ wide concrete structure will improve flood safety, water quality, and fish passage on a tributary (locally known as Mile Brook) of the Black River. CRC and MARC began working with the Town and State of Vermont on this project in 2018, and after 8 years of grant writing, engineering design, and permitting, the removal of this old dam will begin and run through the end of September 2025.     The Town originally built the dam in 1938 to create a swimming area but closed the pool in 1953 due to “contamination and unhygienic conditions.” For the past 72 years the dam has been slowly degrading and trapping sediment upstream, resulting in significant water quality impacts.    “We are excited to get this old dam removed and the stream restored. Removing the dam lowers the flood elevation level in this area and allows native brook trout to move freely.”   -Ron Rhodes, Director of Programs at CRC    “These cold headwater streams are critical habitat for our native brook trout. Removing this dam will open 3.8 miles of stream for spawning and thermal refuge.”  -Chris Yurek, Senior Planner at MARC.     Funding for design, permitting and construction has been provided by the State of Vermont Ecosystem Restoration Program (ERP), a Dam Removal Design and Implementation Block Grant (DRDIBG) administered by Watersheds United Vermont (WUV) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Fish Passage Program. Local contractors hired for this project include Ripple Natural Resources LLC of Randolph, VT, Paula Sagerman, a historic preservation consultant based out of Brattleboro, VT, and Crown Point Excavation LLC of Springfield, VT.   Photos above show closeups of the Valley Street dam before removal. Historic photos above show the Valley Street Dam in 1938 after it was built (left) and in 1950 shortly before it was closed (right). Before and after dam removal. 160 trucks full of sediment were removed and 4 miles of upstream habitat was restored for native brook trout. About the Connecticut River Conservancy:     The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. CRC has been a steward of the Connecticut River and tributary streams since 1952. Their programs include advocacy, aquatic invasive species management, dam removal, habitat restoration, migratory fish surveys, recreation, trash cleanups, and water quality monitoring. Together through community engagement and education, they’re dedicated to ensuring equitable access and healthy rivers for all. Learn more at  ctriver.org .     About the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission:     Mount Ascutney Regional Commission advocates for the needs of our member towns and seeks collaborative strategies to address local, regional, and state opportunities and concerns. One of our primary purposes is to provide technical services to town officials and to act as a resource for local governments. We help mediate inter-jurisdictional planning and development issues arising between member communities; facilitate discussion and understanding between local and state entities; and develop plans, policies, strategies, and procedures for addressing issues that are regional in scope.

Testing strip for chloride in the Connecticut River Interested in getting outside and learning about our rivers?  The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is seeking volunteers in the Connecticut River watershed (in NH, VT, MA, and CT) for a water quality monitoring program testing for chloride. The watershed-wide chloride monitoring program is in partnership with the Izaak Walton League of America and aims to provide data about chloride levels in our waterways.  Volunteers can sign up here. Chloride sampling has begun as of October 2025 and will go through April 1, 2026. Why Chloride? New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are all part of the Northeastern "salt belt" that employs various strategies to de-ice roads in winter, including pre-wetting with salt brine, using snow-fighting vehicles with calibrated spreaders, and applying different types of salt based on temperature and storm conditions. Chloride is the main ingredient in road salt. As rain or snowmelt flows into our waterways, this chloride goes with it. Unfortunately, this can harm plants and animals in the water that are not used to elevated chloride levels. Testing chloride levels can help raise awareness of the impacts of road salt and provide information on the types and extents of impacts on our aquatic wildlife.  Volunteers will receive testing kits in the mail and will upload their results onto the Izaak Walton League of America’s Clean Water Hub. Anyone will be able to see and use the data from their testing site. The data will also be uploaded to CRC’s Is It Clean  website .  This website is the best place to see data from CRC’s other water quality monitoring efforts, including E. coli results for many locations throughout the watershed. CRC staff will help volunteers participating in the new chloride program to choose a monitoring site and will answer any questions.  “Road salt is a major water quality issue in the northeastern US. Many people have asked over the years if we can monitor the impacts of road salt, and this is a really great way to get that started. Since it's not limited by needing to get samples to a lab, volunteers throughout the entire watershed can easily participate and contribute to this community science effort,”  says Ryan O’Donnell, Water Quality Program Manager at CRC.    Interested volunteers can sign up on VOMO:  https://ctriver.vomo.org/opportunity/road-salt-monitoring-2025-2026   Contact:   Melissa Langley, CRC Lab and Monitoring Coordinator  mlangley@ctriver.org

D.F. Riley Grist Mill Dam in Hatfield, MA The Connecticut River Conservancy is working with the private dam owners, The Nature Conservancy, Tighe & Bond, and other partners on the removal of the D.F. Riley Grist Mill dam in Hatfield, MA. This project is currently underway and this page is updated regularly as new information becomes available. An FAQ with project details and objectives is available here. Background Summary: Like many old mill dams, the D.F. Riley Grist Mill dam no longer serves the purpose for which it was intended. The current structure was built in 1881 although there has been a dam at this site since 1661. The dam initially served as a grist mill/sawmill and later powered the manufacturing of various other products.   The condition of the dam has deteriorated over time, and it blocks fish from accessing valuable upstream habitat. It is the only standing dam on the mainstem Mill River. Its removal will benefit migratory species such as American shad, sea lamprey, and many others, and improve the overall ecological health of the river system as well as its resilience to climate change. Removal would also eliminate a safety hazard for the community and the maintenance and liability burden for the dam owners.  2024 Grant Award Announcement: In 2024 the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $13.9 million in grants  to support the repair of dams and coastal infrastructure across Massachusetts. The funding, provided through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Dam and Seawall Program, will help 23 municipalities and nonprofit organizations – including Connecticut River Conservancy – to address critical repairs and safely remove outdated structures in their communities. This provided the first round of funding for exploring removal of the D.F. Riley Grist Mill Dam. The Dam and Seawall program focuses on enhancing the safety and functionality of essential infrastructure, which protects residents and supports local economies. Prioritizing repairs and removals will help mitigate risks associated with severe weather events and rising sea levels. The investment demonstrates the administration's dedication to helping communities adapt to climate change. By restoring and removing aging infrastructure, public safety will improve, and local ecosystems will be protected. This will also increase resilience in coastal areas. The grants will fund fourteen design and permitting projects and nine construction projects to advance designs and permits as well as to construct the projects. Since the program began in 2013, the Dam and Seawall Program has provided $134 million in grants and loans to address deficient dams, seawalls, and levees with these new grants. More details available  here .   Sign up for our newsletters  to get more river news and Connecticut River watershed updates directly in your inbox.

The PERMIT Act is a dangerous bill moving through Congress that would significantly weaken the Clean Water Act and silence local voices. If passed, it would expand opportunities for industrial pollution, give federal agencies the authority to exclude waterways from Clean Water Act protections, take rights away from states to protect their waters, make it easier to discharge emerging pollutants such as PFAS, and create loopholes for pesticides to be discharged without specialized permits.   Harmful projects would be able to proceed without safeguards for clean water—putting our rivers, wetlands, drinking water, and communities at risk.   Here in the Connecticut River watershed, we rely on clean, healthy rivers for drinking water, recreation, tourism, wildlife, and flood protection. The Clean Water Act has protected these waters for more than 50 years. Now those protections are under threat.   We need your help!  Contact your representative and urge them to VOTE NO on the PERMIT Act (H.R. 3898).    Together, we can stop this bill and protect clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities for generations to come.    You can find your Representative by entering your zip code here . You can read the full text of the PERMIT Act here.   Please send your personalized version of the following message:  “I am writing to express my strong opposition to the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act (PERMIT Act, H.R. 3898). This bill would gut core protections under the Clean Water Act and put the health of our rivers, wetlands, drinking water supplies - and the people who depend on them - at serious risk.  The Clean Water Act (CWA) is one of our nation’s bedrock environmental laws that acts to protect and restore water resources. For over 50 years, the CWA has empowered states, tribes, and communities to safeguard their waters from harmful discharges and destructive development. The PERMIT Act as currently envisioned would fast-track projects and strip away state authority to review and condition federally permitted projects under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. These reviews are critical tools for ensuring that large-scale projects - such as hydropower dams - do not cause irreversible harm to rivers, wetlands, aquatic habitats, or local communities.  The PERMIT Act would not only weaken water quality protections by rushing projects through without proper oversight but also silence the voices of local communities and tribes that are most directly affected by these major infrastructure projects. The PERMIT Act reduces public participation as well as accountability for developers, and jeopardizes progress toward climate resilience, clean water, and thriving ecosystems. The PERMIT Act forces communities to shoulder the financial and public health burden of increased pollution.  We urge you to reject the PERMIT Act (H.R. 3898). The Clean Water Act must be strengthened—not dismantled—to meet today’s environmental challenges and protect future generations. Clean water should not be a partisan issue, but rather a shared goal and a fundamental right.”  Thank you!

Greenfield Light and Power Dam. Photo by Alix Kaplan/Connecticut River Conservancy. The Healey-Driscoll Administration in Massachusetts has announced over $10.9 million in grants  to repair or remove aging dams, seawalls, levees, and other critical infrastructure across the state. This funding, provided through the Dam and Seaw all Repair or Removal Program , will support twenty-three municipalities and nonprofit organizations in making long-overdue repairs and taking down outdated structures that put homes, roads, and neighborhoods at risk.     The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is among the recipients, with an award of $180,000 for the first phase of engineering design to alter the Greenfield Electric Light & Power (GELP) Dam and include a Nature Like Fishway (NLF). This design plan would incorporate permanent stabilization of the dam base, including surrounding infrastructure such as sewer lines; address the safety, liability, and maintenance concerns of the deteriorating dam for the City of Greenfield; and provide the ecological benefits of a more natural river system such as fish passage, improved water quality, and greater flood resilience. CRC is collaborating with the City of Greenfield and The Nature Conservancy to advance this project, with the nonprofits contributing $20,000 in matching funds. Additional local tribal groups and state and federal agencies have supported the proposal and are expected to participate in the implementation. Engineering groups will include Fuss & O’Neil and Princeton Hydro, each having extensive experience in dam improvement and removal projects.  A Phased Approach This project will develop engineering design plans to lower the crest of the existing dam, repair walls and support structures needed to maintain the integrity of the Mill Street Bridge, shore up the structural deficiencies in the base of the existing dam that have been temporarily repaired, and stabilize the river channel and banks to protect town utilities while restoring fish passage and a more natural river flow.  Additional funding will be pursued for the remainder of the engineering design costs and necessary permits. Construction will also require further grant funding.  Green River Restoration Projects The CRC and the City of Greenfield (the owners of the Wiley Russell and Greenfield Electric Light and Power Dams) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to advance the Green River restoration projects which will include partial removal of the Greenfield Electric Light and Power Dam and full removal of the Wiley Russell Dam.  CRC has met with the Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Works, and Historical Commission to discuss the projects, and has received a letter of support from the Conservation Commission.  We have also met with local indigenous leaders and groups to discuss the projects and indigenous sites and cultural history associated with the Green River. Community awareness about the projects has been elevated through a series of recent news articles in the Greenfield Recorder and public meetings. We will continue to engage the community around ecological benefits of dam removal and plan to commemorate history as part of the design/permitting process. Initial data collection tasks have already been completed as part of emergency repairs in December 2024, including an updated topographic survey and wetland delineation. “The City of Greenfield is thrilled to see this project moving forward,” said Greenfield Mayor Virginia Desorgher. “The health of our community and region is closely linked to the health of our rivers, and completing a partial removal of the Greenfield Electric Light & Power Dam will yield significant benefits for the river’s ecology.” Ecological Benefits The Green River is mapped as BioMap Aquatic Core and Rare Species Habitat and is designated as Cold Water Fisheries Resources (CFR) by Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Many species will benefit from barrier removal, as well as from post-removal improvement in water and habitat quality, including both migratory and non-migratory freshwater species.  Partial removal of the dam will benefit migratory species restoration efforts for American shad, Blueback herring, sea lamprey, and American eel, and cold-water resident species such as Eastern brook trout, white sucker, and other riparian-dependent Species of Greatest Conservation Need identified in the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan. This project in conjunction with the planned removal of the Wiley Russell Dam downstream will open approximately 60 miles of mainstem and tributary streams improving and enhancing access to growth and spawning areas by facilitating seasonal movements upstream and downstream, including the ability to move to seek more ideal conditions as temperatures change (climate resilience), enhancing survival and reproductive success. The project aligns closely with state and federal management and habitat restoration plans for migratory fish in this ecologically important tributary and the Connecticut River watershed.  A further timeline is not yet available, but receipt of the Dam and Seaw all Repair or Removal Program award will serve as a catalyst for moving forward.

From the Canadian border in New Hampshire to Long Island Sound in Connecticut, the Connecticut River flows through some of New England’s most scenic and historically rich landscapes. This 410-mile-long river provides endless recreational and sightseeing opportunities. Here are ten spots that provide a glimpse into some of the delightful features the Connecticut River has to offer. Connecticut River Headwaters - Pittsburg, NH Tucked away in the wilderness of northern New Hampshire are the humble headwaters of the Connecticut River. The waters originate from a small, spring-fed lake known as the Fourth Connecticut Lake that is just yards from the Canadian border. Take a hike on the Fourth Connecticut Lake Trail and weave your way through boreal forests and across international boundary markers. You might be lucky enough to enjoy a potential moose spotting along your way. This is the only place along the river where you can stand across the entire span of the river. The Narrows - Woodsville, NH Other than the headwaters of the Connecticut River, this is the narrowest part of the river throughout its long journey to the sound. Just above the Ranger Bridge, the river tightens between granite walls as the Ammonoosuc River pours in. The confluence creates swirling currents and occasional whirlpools for paddlers, and this can be perfect for those in kayaks seeking a thrill. The scenic views and echoes of historic log drives and early river exploration will keep you satisfied on land as well. Photo by William Daugherty Sumner Falls - Hartland, VT Sumner Falls , aka Hartland Rapids, is an adventurous spot where the river carves out rapids with swirling eddies. Whitewater paddlers and anglers will have a terrific time visiting. Beyond its scenic views, Sumner Falls carries layers of heritage. It sits near the site of the long-abandoned Sumner Falls Canal, which was part of an early 19th‑century effort to bypass the rapids via locks and navigable waterways. The area was also a key part for the lumber trade, which helped shaped the town now known as Sumner’s Village. Bellows Falls - Bellows Falls, VT Bellows Falls, VT, offers a riverside experience centered on the Connecticut River. This riverside town is home to one of the earliest canals in the country. This canal shapes the flow of the river, and it touts public amenities like picnic spots, boat ramps, paddler campsites, and a fish ladder and visitor center operated seasonally. Nearby, the new Riverfront Park is stewarded by the Historical Society and invites walkers and kayakers to the water. Amid the plethora of activities, you can also find a centuries‑old Bellows Falls Petroglyph Site: panels of faces carved into bedrock just beside the Great Falls. These figures are believed to date anywhere from 300 to 3,000 years and are considered sacred spiritual markers. Great Falls - Turners Falls, MA This natural waterfall, which is now modified for hydroelectric power, is a fascinating taste of the industrial history along the Connecticut River. Once used for navigational purposes, the current canal has bike trails and fishing access at various points. Visitors should stop by the Great Falls Discovery Center  to learn more about the river’s fascinating ecosystem. Image by CodyBCleo Northampton Meadows and Elwell Recreation Area - Northampton, MA This riverside area offers biking and walking trails, a boat launch, and fishing spots along a quiet, meandering stretch of the Connecticut River. Located just south of the Coolidge Bridge, it’s ideal for an afternoon paddle or birdwatching break. Chester-Hadlyme Ferry Crossing - Hadlyme, CT In operation since 1769, this historic ferry connects scenic river roads and brings travelers to the base of Gillette Castle, a stone mansion perched high above the river. The crossing offers panoramic river views and a taste of old New England transport. Gillette Castle State Park - East Haddam, CT Right by the river is the castle actor William Gillette built in 1914, visitors are able to explore the grounds and tour the inside of the medieval style building. The overlook behind it offers one of the best views of the Connecticut River, particularly during sunrise or peak foliage. Paddlers can also find public river camping sites tucked away on the forested grounds of this 24-room mansion. Photo provided by CT State Parks Selden Neck State Park - Lyme, CT Only accessible by boat, this island park is one of the river’s hidden gems. With primitive camping, hiking trails, and a rugged shoreline, Selden Neck offers a backcountry experience away from the hustle and bustle and only a few miles from the river’s mouth. Photo by Connecticut Tourism Office Connecticut River Estuary & Ferry Landing State Park - Old Lyme, CT At the southern end, the river meets Long Island Sound in a dynamic tidal estuary rich in birdlife and maritime history. The state park features a boardwalk, boat launch, and sunset views over salt marshes and barrier islands. In the nearby town of Essex, resides the Connecticut River Museum , which hosts exhibits and events related to the history of the river. If exploring the river by foot is not your chosen mode of transportation, the Connecticut River Paddlers' Trail is a wonderful resource for boaters. With primitive campsites and river access points, anyone can begin their journey on the water. Some may even decide to paddle all 410 miles, completing a Source to Sea journey. Happy exploring!

The Deerfield River in Monroe, MA. Photo by Chris Curtis. The Deerfield River Watershed Association is inviting all residents and interested people to participate in a public meeting on “Protecting the Deerfield River.” The meeting will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 5pm at the Buckland Town Hall, 17 State Street, Shelburne Falls. The Deerfield River Watershed Association (DRWA) will present a plan for potential National Wild and Scenic River Designation of the Deerfield River and its tributaries. The Deerfield Wild and Scenic River Study and Management Plan found that five reaches of the Deerfield River main stem and 15 major tributaries are eligible to be designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers.  The DRWA is inviting audience questions, participation, and discussion. The forum is free and open to all. There will be a second opportunity to hear about the plan at an online forum coordinated by the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) and DRWA on Thursday, September 4th from 12pm-1pm. Update: the virtual info session recording is now available below. The project consultants will also be meeting with the Selectboards and Mayors of all participating communities over the next two months to present the plan and seek votes of community endorsement for the plan and its recommendations. The Town of Shelburne Selectboard voted on July 28th to endorse the plan. National Wild & Scenic River Designation In 2024, the Deerfield River Watershed Association received a Woodlands Partnership grant to study whether the Massachusetts portion of the Deerfield River and many of its major tributaries qualify to become a National Wild and Scenic River. The DRWA coordinated a local Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives from the towns of Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Florida, Greenfield, Leyden, Savoy, and Shelburne, which met monthly over the past nine months to guide the study. Consultants Christopher Curtis and Wayne Feiden coordinated the work. The result was a completed Deerfield Wild and Scenic River Study and Management Plan, which concluded that five reaches of the Deerfield River main stem and 15 major tributaries are eligible to be designated Wild and Scenic. This plan is an important step towards the long-term protection of the Deerfield River and its scenic qualities. We look forward to working with communities and our Congressional delegation to advance the designation of the Deerfield River as a National Wild and Scenic River" said Christopher Curtis, DRWA Vice President. The plan concludes that the Deerfield River is an exceptional river resource for many reasons. These are the key Outstandingly Remarkable Values for the Deerfield River that make this river worthy of National Wild and Scenic River designation: • With rapids from Class II-V, the Deerfield River offers perhaps the best whitewater boating and rafting in Massachusetts.  • It is an excellent trout fishery, with some of the best dry-fly fishing for wild trout in the East. It is one of the three best coldwater fisheries in all New England. • The Deerfield River harbors a large portion of Massachusetts’ trout population, and the upper Deerfield River is arguably the premier wild trout stream in Massachusetts.  • The historically significant Mohawk Trail ran along the river and was a principal Native American travel route, and the modern Mahican Mohawk hiking trail parallels some of this route.  • Historic New England villages are strung along the river, including Historic Deerfield, one of the few authentic colonial villages in the US, preserving a 330-year-old western Massachusetts village with 18th and 19th-century houses and a nationally significant collection of artifacts.  • The watershed near the Deerfield River hosts old growth forest, including the tallest tree in Massachusetts and the largest collection of tall white pines in New England.  • Several tributaries, such as Cold River and Bog and Gulf Brooks, are wild free-flowing rivers, rare in New England.  “As both a resident of and in my role coordinating volunteer water quality monitoring program for the Deerfield River watershed, I am deeply familiar with what amazing resources the Deerfield River and its many beautiful tributaries are. Wild & Scenic designation is a wonderful opportunity to recognize this truly remarkable watershed” said Ryan O’Donnell, Water Quality Program Manager at the Connecticut River Conservancy. This work is being done under a Woodlands Partnership grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Mo re information about the Wild & Scenic Study can be found here . You can also learn more about DRWA here . For more information, contact: Christopher Curtis, Vice President of the Deerfield River Watershed Association  413-522-5983, chcurtis89@gmail.com Wayne Feiden, Director of UMass Center for Resilient Metro-Regions and principal of Plan Sustain, Inc. 414-695-2748 Amanda Major, Events and Outreach Coordinator at the Connecticut River Conservancy 413-253-6855, amajor@ctriver.org     About: The Deerfield River Watershed Association (DRWA) is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the stewardship, protection, and restoration of one of Massachusetts' and Vermont’s most beautiful rivers. We engage in volunteer-assisted monitoring of water quality, river clean-up days, school programs and watershed education, mini-grants for school river projects, maintenance of the Mohican-Mohawk Trail, river restoration, advocating for responsible public use, and protection of the river from threats to its health and scenic quality. DRWA's newest projects include working with communities throughout the watershed to seek National Wild and Scenic River designation. The Deerfield River Watershed Association (DRWA) entered into an Affiliation Agreement with the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) in 2017.

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to do some good for local rivers. The Connecticut River Conservancy’s (CRC) 29 th  annual Source to Sea Cleanup is back this September 26 – 27 th with flexible opportunities for individual groups to choose their cleanup day. The goal is to remove as much trash as possible from waterways, riverbanks, and communities to reduce the impact of pollution across the 410-mile Connecticut River and watershed, including the tributaries that feed the mainstem river in NH, VT, MA, and CT.  Registration is open for Group Leaders and Volunteers at SourceToSeaCleanup.org .     What began in 1996 with a small group of volunteers dedicated to clean water and healthy habitats has grown to a massive community action trash removal event. Brought together by a shared passion for trash-free waterways, countless communities, businesses, nonprofits, and families now participate throughout the Connecticut River watershed.   Group leaders organize cleanup events at trash sites based on areas of need, while volunteers donate their time and effort to remove trash from nature. Local municipalities support by providing dumpsters, waiving disposal fees, or collecting the trash from locations after the volunteers have completed their cleanups.   Trash tallies are also gathered after each cleanup, contributing to CRC’s long-standing database which is used to inform the nonprofit’s work in advocacy to reduce pollution, support river restoration, and inform the public and policymakers of issues affecting the environment. This event often includes participation from local legislative leaders.  2024's cleanup included 117 groups and over 1,800 volunteers throughout four watershed states, who collectively removed 39 tons of trash from rivers and riverside areas (over 78,000 lbs). A wide variety of waste was collected by volunteers, including 16,824 beverage containers, 475 tires, and 5,603 lbs. of scrap metal in addition to cigarette butts, fishing equipment, food packaging, and common household items. Since data collection began in 1999, 1,146 tons of trash has been documented as removed from the watershed —and not everyone submits detailed data!  A few photos from 2024's cleanup events. Many more photos and summaries are available in the 2024 Cleanup Chronicle. CRC will use #SourcetoSeaCleanup on Instagram to connect volunteers and is encouraging social media sharing of the cleanup experience.   “The Source to Sea Cleanup is an opportunity to get dirty for cleaner rivers, work with others in your community, and clean up our waterways and city streets,” says CRC’s Cleanup Coordinator, Stacey Lennard.  “When you pick up trash you are diverting that waste from going down storm drains and into the river system, which eventually flows into the ocean. You are ensuring that we keep this debris out of our rivers and oceans.”   Group Leaders who need help finding a c leanup site can check out CRC's map of adoptable trash sites. Or they can choose a site of their own by submitting a “Report a Trash Site” form. Parks, city blocks, boat ramps, and neighborhood hangouts are typically great spots to clean up. Trash travels, so even picking up litter off a city sidewalk can help protect wildlife and communities that depend on clean waterways. Group leaders are encouraged to scout the site beforehand to determine if it’s suitable for their group.  A handy Group Leader Guide is available for download on the Source to Sea Cleanup website and provides all the necessary information and forms for running a successful cleanup.  Connecticut River Conservancy would also like to thank the following sponsors for supporting this initiative – in some cases for many years! Lead sponsors in 2025 are U.S.A. Waste & Recycling Inc., All American Waste, Eversource, and The Walker Group. With additional support from Hypertherm HOPE Foundation, Antonacci Family Foundation, Ascend Bank in partnership with the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Aquarion Water Company, Connecticut River Gateway Commission, Florence Bank, Fuss & O'Neill, Greenfield Savings Bank, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. Jamrog HVAC, Packaging Corporation of America, Savings Bank of Walpole, Silver Screen Design, SLR Consulting, Stone Environmental, SumCo Eco-Contracting, SWCA Environmental Consultants Inc., and Walmart in Hadley and Northampton.  For more information, visit Sourcetoseacleanup.org    To sign up as a Group Leader, start with the Cleanup Sites Map here .  For any questions about getting involved, contact Stacey Lennard at cleanup@ctriver.org .

Bellows Falls dam. Photo by Alix Kaplan. On Thursday, August 28th, CRC submitted our comments on the two separate Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS) for the five hydropower facilities on the Connecticut River that are currently undergoing relicensing. This marks a milestone for one of the final actions in this thirteen-year relicensing process. It has been daunting at times, but we have witnessed numerous important wins over the years - many of which were reflected in this final draft Environmental Impact Statement.   The Environmental Impact Statement is the last major step in the hydropower relicensing process . CRC and many others reviewed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) analysis of Great River Hydro and FirstLight's proposals for relicensing the Wilder (P-1892), Bellows Falls (P-1855), Vernon (P-1904), Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage (P-2485), and Turners Falls (P-1889) projects. FERC will consider comments provided and issue a final Environmental Impact Statement sometime after December of 2025. CRC would like to express our gratitude for the many community members, municipalities, and partner organizations that have continued to participate in this relicensing process over the years. Over 60 parties submitted comments on all five projects!  You can read all of the comments by searching the FERC library here . Docket numbers are: P-1855 - Bellows Falls P-1892 - Wilder P-1904 - Vernon P-2485 - Northfield Mountain P-1889 - Turner's Falls Below are links to our comments and and a few from partners that we would like to highlight: CRC comments on Great River Hydro projects CRC comments on FirstLight projects   Great River Hydro projects in VT/NH: Comments of U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal Comments of State of Vermont Senator Wendy K Harrison Comments of Vermont Center for Ecostudies   Comments of Ashuelot River Local Advisory Committee Comments of Connecticut River Joint Commissions  Comments of the Windham Regional Commission Comments of the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission FirstLight Projects in MA: Comments of professors at University of Massachusetts Amherst Comments of The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Comments of Western Mass Rights of Nature Comments of Franklin Regional Council of Governments Comments of The Nolumbeka Project Tribal Coalition Comments of United States Senators Markey, McGovern, and Warren Comments of Ashuelot River Local Advisory Committee CRC's next course of action is to follow the process initiated by our appeals of the Water Quality Certifications issued by Vermont and New Hampshire , and Massachusetts as part of the hydropower relicensing process. We will not stop until we secure the best possible outcome for the Connecticut River and the habitats and people that rely on this vital natural resource. You can support this effort by making a contribution to the Connecticut River Advocacy Fund here. Wins in this court process will result in specific requirements that are written into the federal licenses impacting 175 miles of the river.

A volunteer collecting a water sample. Is it clean? It will now be easier than ever to determine whether the waterbody near you is clean for swimming, boating, or recreation.   13 years after the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) first launched the Is It Clean database to share E. coli bacteria results from water samples collected throughout the Connecticut River watershed, the website has been updated with a modern new look, dynamic user experience, mobile-friendliness, and predictive features to show likelihood of water quality conditions. You can see it live at isitclean.us .    Samples from over 250 locations throughout NH, VT, MA, and CT are collected by volunteers and partner organizations  between the months of May and October annually, most of which are processed at CRC’s water quality lab in Greenfield, MA. The results are typically uploaded to the website the day after sample collection to inform recreation activities for the public, as well as equipping state/federal agencies and policymakers with water quality data in their jurisdiction.     Users can search by region, watershed, or waterbody, with the results instantly showing the likely water conditions  based on past sample results and recent weather at each location along with specific sampling dates and results.    The results are also used to inform restoration and advocacy work  by CRC and watershed partners, including research related to Combined Sewer Overflows . Data uploaded to the EPA’s Water Quality Exchange may be used to support appropriate classification of water bodies.     Why E. coli?   While most strains are harmless and individual safety cannot be guaranteed, its presence may signal other pathogens that can cause illness from water contact, so this data supports public health and awareness about water conditions. E. coli levels tend to be higher after rain or during periods of drought, and with the exception of certain locations under certain weather conditions most of the Connecticut River and tributaries are generally considered clean for recreation. Want to be sure? Check the new website for the waterbody near YOU at isitclean.us .   This website update was developed by Ryan O'Donnell, Water Quality Program Manager at the Connecticut River Conservancy, with technical support and implementation by The Commons .

The Connecticut River Conservancy has been collecting weekly water samples to test for E. coli  bacteria in the Connecticut River and its tributaries. Some of the Hampden County sites in Massachusetts are heavily impacted by combined sewer overflows (CSOs), particularly from the more densely populated communities of Holyoke, Chicopee, and Springfield. Starting in 2022, CSO discharge reports have been made available to the public, so email subscribers are notified when there are CSO releases so that they can use this information when making recreation decisions.   In a poster session at the Northeast Aquatic Biologists’ Conference in February 2025, CRC staff Ryan O’Donnell and Melissa Langley presented on what insights volunteer monitoring provides for the impacts of CSOs on water quality, limitations in the data collected by volunteers as well as in the CSO discharge reports, and the broader impact of public notification of CSO discharges on public understanding of water quality in the Connecticut River.  Bacteria Monitoring   CRC staff and volunteers collect and process water samples from dozens of sites throughout Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, measuring total coliform and E. coli. The E. coli levels are compared to EPA recommendations for safe primary and secondary contact. Sampling results are uploaded to CRC's Is It Clean?/¿Está Limpio?  website to provide the public with data they can use to make informed recreation decisions.  Background on CSOs    CSOs are permitted releases of untreated or partially treated wastewater and stormwater into rivers or other water bodies from combined sanitary and storm sewer systems. Releases usually occur in wet weather due to the increase in stormwater and are used to prevent overwhelming the treatment system. CSO releases release contaminants that may be harmful to people and the environment.   In addition to the locations in Hampden County, St Johnsbury, VT, Montague, MA, and Hartford, CT also have CSOs. Some information on VT and CT releases is publicly available.    This diagram shows the impact of wet weather on CSO releases. Challenges   Bacteria levels in rivers are inherently complicated by many factors that are difficult to account for. CRC sampling occurs on a set schedule and is not conducted directly to measure impacts of CSOs, and the approximately 50 individual discharge points in the region make understanding the water quality impact of any one community alone impossible. Additionally, differences in the detection methods make the data difficult to analyze. At this time, Chicopee does not have automated detection for CSOs and depends on manually checking for evidence of CSOs and running a computer model to estimate the volume. The model may not always be able to estimate a volume of water released even when there is evidence of a discharge found during a manual check. Regulated flows on the Connecticut River and tributaries from dams may affect how long bacteria stay in different areas of the river. Overall, limitations on data collection, detection systems, and human impacted river flows complicate the question of how CSOs affect water quality.    Results and Discussion   During this study period, sampling events were designated as wet weather if there was significant rainfall in the previous 24-96 hours. Chart 1 below shows the total volume of CSO discharges in the ~48 hours prior to each sampling event. The biggest takeaway that we can see is that in 2023, a flood year, large volumes of CSO discharges due to heavy rainfall seemed to have a minimal impact on water quality; in 2024, a drought year, even small CSO discharges during smaller rain events appear to have a larger effect on bacteria levels.    Chart 1 Within the context of the full stretch of the river that CRC volunteers monitor regularly, the segment through Holyoke, Chicopee, and Springfield tends to have the highest E. coli levels  (see chart 2). Even with this stretch of poorer water quality, bacteria levels in the Connecticut River, on average, meet the threshold for primary contact recreation (swimming) during dry weather and at most locations during wet weather. There are a few sites that exceed this threshold during wet weather but they still, on average, meet the threshold for secondary contact recreation (boating). Individual results, especially in this stretch of poorer water quality, regularly exceed these thresholds (see chart 3).   Chart 2 Chart 3     Public Impacts of Notifications   The public notification of CSO discharges in Massachusetts began on July 1, 2022, and residents in Holyoke and Chicopee receive notifications automatically. They started receiving them when the notification law went into effect but without any context for what had changed for the notifications to start. Anyone can sign up to receive Springfield’s automated alerts by e-mail. At least two e-mails are triggered by each discharge location during a storm event resulting in numerous emails for each rain event.   News outlets report on the alerts which have raised concerns about the ongoing water quality in the Connecticut River. The public sees millions of gallons of sewage discharged and is understandably concerned without the full context of the scale of the river. There is mixed public understanding with what has changed is the notification of discharges, not that discharges began in 2022.    Conclusion   CRC will continue to collect bacteria data this summer, and the water quality monitoring staff hope to look further into the impacts and community perceptions of CSOs.