Coginchaug River

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The Coginchaug River in Connecticut, with a watershed of 39 square miles (101 km²) incorporating forests, pastures, farmland, industrial, and commercial areas, is the predominant tributary of the Mattabesset River. It flows north from Durham, Connecticut through Middlefield and meets the Mattabesset in Middletown, just short of where it flows into the Connecticut River[1]. The name, Coginchaug, comes from the local Native American name for the Durham area, and it was the original name for the town. It has been said to mean "The Great Swamp", and is a reference to the meadows found in the central part of town.

The Coginchaug is cited in the 2006 Connecticut list of 85 lower-quality waterways, safe for canoeing but not safe for swimming or other in-water activity, due to its elevated levels of bacteria, including E. coli. There is also an advisory in effect to limit consumption of fish from the river, due to elevated levels of mercury. Efforts are currently under way by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture to recommend practices to reduce the bacteria introduced into the river from untreated sewage, sanitary sewer overflow, agricultural runoff, leaking septic tanks, etc. [1]

Even though the Coginchaug River has some pollution issues, it has become a popular route for paddlers. The river begins at Myer Huber Pond and flows with low volume through over 3 miles of difficult swamps. This should only be attempted after heavy rains. The main paddling route starts at Route 147 and continues downstream, north, through some more slow moving waters and a swamp. The Coginchaug River route has many portages while encountering six dams and one major waterfall, Wadsworth Falls. There is potential for Class II whitewater before the Coginchaug flows into the tidal marsh of the Mattabesett River.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Griffin, Keith. "Monitoring the Coginchaug River for a better future", Middlesex County Advertising Supplement, The Hartford Courant, April 25, 2007, p. 9. 

[edit] External links