4. PLAN FOR

HOUSATONIC RIVER

GREENWAY AND RIVER TRAIL

IN NEW MILFORD, CT

--- RIVER TRAIL HOME
--- MANAGEMENT PLAN
--- 1. Plan for Still River in Danbury
--- 2. Plan for Still River in Brookfield
--- 3. Plan for Still River in New Milford
--- 4. Plan for Housatonic River thru New Milford
--- 5. Plan for Housatonic River from Bridgewater to Monroe

OVERVIEW
As shown on this topographic overview map, the Housatonic River enters New Milford in its norwest corner, descending from the Town of Kent. The Housatonic leaves New Milford at the Town's south central boundary, the River now known as Lake Lillinonah.

A summary of the River Trail's paddle distances in the Town of New Milford is as follows:

1.48 MILES, SEGA PARK TO BOARDMAN BRIDGE
2.42 MILES, BOARDMAN BRIDGE TO YOUNG’S FIELD
.51 MILES, YOUNG’S FIELD TO BLEACHERY DAM NORTH PORTAGE
.93 MILES, BLEACHERY DAM SOUTH PORTAGE TO ADDIS PARK
.70 MILES, ADDIS PARK TO MOUTH OF STILL
.38 MILES, MOUTH OF STILL THRU GORGE TO LOVERS LEAP
2.13 MILES, LOVERS LEAP TO BROOKFIELD - NEW MILFORD LINE
8.55 MILES, TOTAL

4A. NEW MILFORD ON THE HOUSATONIC RIVER:
POTENTIAL SEGA MEADOWS TOWN PARK PUT IN
The 23 acres for Sega Meadows Town Park was purchased in 1992 and has yet to be developed for recreation. It is on the east bank of the Housatonic River with excellent frontage along the River. Then in 2005, through the generosity of Northeast Utilities, an additional 65 acres on the Housatonic River were licensed to the Town expressly for access improvements and development of Sega Meadows Town Park.

The properties are proposed for passive recreational use, with a few tent sites possible. The plan is for a gravel parking area to be established at the northern end of the property with good access off of River Road. It is likely a canoe and kayak put in location can be included in the Park's development plan.

The Housatonic Railroad Company’s tracks bound the Park on its east. Landmark’s here are the nearby new and old Boardman Bridges, side by side and crossing the Housatonic just south New Milford’s River Road, which leads to the entrance of Sega Meadows Town Park.

As noted above this Park should be reviewed as a potential River Trail put in location. As the Town has accepted liability for both its and Northeast Utilities, it would carry the appropriate insurance coverage. But note there is some white water at this location, as it is well upstream of the upcoming deeper sections of the Housatonic.

Sega Meadows Town Park shown in green.
Orange identifies proposed kayak and canoe put in at
Sega Meadows, and proposed site at Boardman Bridge to south.

The paddle distance from the northern end of the Park to the potential Boardman Bridge take out on the west bank downstream is about 1.48 miles. If proceeding on to the Young’s Field take out point just north of Veteran’s Bridge, there is an additional 2.42 miles to paddle for a total distance of 3.90 miles.

Moving just north, the Boardman Bridge is seen by the Old Boardman Bridge. The Old Boardman Bridge is only open to pedestrian traffic and the old entry road to it is now a parking lot for seven vehicles.

On June 12, 2007 the New Milford Parks and Recreation Commission gave its unanimous approval to River Trail coordinator Peg Daley to seek permits for construction of a canoe and kayak put in and take out at Andrew Gaylord Barnes Park. The plan is to have a curb cut approved by Conn DOT for vehicle access to the entry point at waters edge, then for vehicles to park at the seven spaces on the entryway to the old Boardman Bridge.

The June 12 Commission minutes read "the Commission agreed that the area was large enough and a terrific site. The water in that area flows back on itself and there is not a lot of current. The work would be done by volunteers and funds from Paddle Days would be used so there would be no expense to the Town."

Note that this emerging put in and take out site is very close to the canoe and kayak oriented Trading Post at 314 Kent Road, on this same west side of Route 7 just several hundred feet to the north, an important River Trail sponsor.

The Housatonic River then flows southeasterly towards Young's Field Road at Veterans Bridge (Route 67) and Downtown New Milford. As noted above the paddle distance between the potential put in at Old Boardman Bridge and Veterans Bridge is about 2.42 miles. About half way between these two points a landmark on the west bank is the Rocky River Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Station, a national historic mechanical engineering landmark.

It is important for paddlers to understand hydropower induced fluctuations on Housatonic River water levels in this section. Federal rules require that water uptake for power generation here not allow the Housatonic River to fall below a minimum “drought condition” elevation of 196.4 feet. Note that downstream from the Rocky River intake is the low-head Bleachery Dam, which has a crest elevation of 196.0 feet, very close to 196.4.

Thus the Bleachery Dam acts as a hydraulic control for the section of the Housatonic River upstream that includes the Rocky River intake (196.4 feet). The goal of this CT DEP influenced permit condition is to prevent the draining of the Bleachery Dam’s upstream pool by the Rocky River Hydroelectric Station's siphoning of water up to Lake Candlewood, this a possibility during those occasional low flow periods when the top of the Bleachery Dam is exposed.

Lake Lillinonah begins south of the Bleachery Dam. But Lake Lillinonah elevations range from 193.8 feet to 198.3 feet, above the 196.4 dam height cited above. Thus backwater from Lake Lillinonah can on occasion inundate the Bleachery Dam, but only at the upper end of Lake Lillinonah's operating range.

4C. NEW MILFORD ON THE HOUSATONIC RIVER:
YOUNG’S FIELD PARK, GREENWAY AND RAMP
The Town of New Milford has planned a handicapped accessible Greenway walk along the east bank of the Housatonic River. It will extend from the Helen Marx Park at the confluence with the Aspetuck River southerly to Bridge Street. It will include the existing 2002 HVRT canoe and kayak ramp which is just north of Bridge Street.

This approximately one half mile of walkway will allow for pedestrians and bicycles and include shoreline stabilization and vegetation restoration. There will be a floating or break-away boardwalk over the wetlands portion of the greenway. Existing riverfront parking will be reorganized. Walking in a pedestrian area will be encouraged, especially movement between the two parks.

At the southern end of the proposed greenway, a handicapped accessible canoe/kayak ramp already exists. It is located on Young’s Field Road, just north of Veteran’s Bridge (Routes 202 and 67 crossing the Housatonic) adjacent to downtown New Milford.

The ramp is across Young's Field Road from a children’s playground and ball fields. A port a-potty is available there during mild weather. It is a short walk for paddlers westerly to the Downtown’s restaurants and lodging. Background on this feature:

SIGNS: As of May 2006 there are no signs at the ramp yet, but the Trading Post has offered to pay for a sign at the ramp. New Milford Mayor Patricia Murphy has indicated that she wants a natural looking sign with a map and points of interest for paddlers.

Possibly the Economic Development Commission and/or the Chamber of Commerce would want to develop a points of interest map to benefit New Milford businesses such as lodging establishments and restaurants. Peg Daley does not believe there is an interest in a white archway here such as the one at the Marriott in Danbury.

A sign will be needed here to identify one or several downstream destinations for paddlers. The next logical downstream destination on Lake Lillinonah is New Milford’s Addis Park, which is about 1.44 miles distant, on the east bank, and an existing put in and take out location.

However, for any paddle journey starting at Young's Field Road, paddlers must be notified that paddling downstream necessitates carrying their vessel overland a short distance, or portage, to bypass the barrier created by the nearby Bleachery Dam.

COST, DATE BUILT, BY WHOM AND PERMITS: USDA engineers and New Milford Public Works Department staff provided the engineering for the ramp. The total out of pocket cost for the ramp was $9,100. The funds came from a King’s Mark account restricted for HVRT use only.

The ramp was installed in 3 days over two July weekends in 2002. About 730 hours of volunteer time was donated for installing this ramp by a total of 46 volunteers. Organization was by the King’s Mark Earth Team Volunteer program.

PROPERTY OWNER AND TYPE OF AGREEMENT: The Town of New Milford owns the land. There was no formal written agreement. The town participated in the planning and development of the ramp and as property owner now owns it.

PARKING: There is plenty of parking at this area when the ball fields are not in use. A new plan for parking for the ball fields and ramp is being developed by New Milford.

There is also a plan to landscape the riverbank here to prevent erosion and beautify the area. It is hoped that plantings and beautification will stop some of the present littering of beer bottles, cans etc. The $750 donated by the Trading Post for Paddle Days 2005 has been earmarked for the landscaping materials. Volunteers will plant the plants under the direction of Carlos Caridad.

TYPE OF MAINTENANCE REQUIRED AND RESPONSIBILITY: The New Milford Parks and Recreation Department should be asked to provide maintenance and cleaning the ramp of silt.

4D. NEW MILFORD ON THE HOUSATONIC
RIVER: BLEACHERY DAM PORTAGE
There is a portage at the Bleachery Dam dating from 2004, specifications below.

Supplementing this the Town of New Milford is seeking to develop a natural fish ladder and kayak raceway to bypass the Bleachery Dam.

The Bleachery Dam is shown by the curved black line across
the Housatonic. The red line across the neck of land in Hidden
Treasures Park is the current kayak portage and its related water
routes. Route 7 runs north south at left, Grove Street north south at right.

Its 2007 grant proposal for the ladder also proposes to modify the existing dam by retrofitting its top 3 to 4 feet with an adjustable inflatable rubber bladder dam for flood abatement. The undeveloped Hidden Treasures Park, location of the current HVRT portage, is also slated for formalized recreational development.

ACCESS: Access points from the Housatonic River are on the eastern bank, one above and one below the Bleachery Dam. Note that the Housatonic River below the Bleachery Dam is considered to be part of Lake Lillinonah.

The portage access is on a narrow section of a peninsula jutting into the river. The land is part of New Milford's undeveloped Hidden Treasures Park. Pedestrian or vehicle access to inspect the portage, coming in from nearby West Street Extension, is blocked by a “No Trespassing” sign.

SIGNS: There are green HVRT portage signs at both ends of the short portage. These signs are visible to paddlers traveling on the Housatonic River. The signs were purchased with a grant from NewMil Bank. The New Milford Parks and Recreation Department and Public Works Department installed the signs.

COST, DATE ACCESS WAS BUILT AND BY WHOM: The New Milford Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments chose the location. They obtained required permits, mowed the portage path and provided straw or hay for the actual portage walkway. The Public Works Department moved left over pavers from the Young's Field Road Ramp to use at this site, and thirty volunteers then installed the concrete paver aprons on October 16, 2004. NewMil Bank donated the funds to purchase the Bleachery Dam Portage signs.

As a related activity, the New Milford Public Works Department and New Milford Police Department Dive Team jointly installed a steel cable with buoys above the Bleachery Dam to warn paddlers. There are large warning signs. Northeast Generating Company donated the cable to New Milford. King’s Mark obtained the necessary U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit for this activity at no cost. There was no local permit required.

The safety chain across the river and above the dam is removed each winter to prevent ice damage. It is reinstalled each spring by the New Milford Parks and Recreation Department.

PROPERTY OWNER AND TYPE OF AGREEMENT: The Town of New Milford owns the undeveloped “Bleachery Park” property where the portage exists. There is only a portage function here, and thus no public parking or pedestrian access.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS FUTURE NEEDS: A procedure should be established to notify the Parks and Recreation Department if there are maintenance issues. Brush and poison ivy needs to be cleared from the portage trail.

4E. NEW MILFORD ON LAKE LILLINONAH: ADDIS PARK
As of yet there is no HVRT signage on or near this property. As noted above the paddle distance from the Young’s Field Road put in down river to Addis Park (excluding a brief walking portage) is about 1.44 miles. Continuing, the direct paddle distance from Addis Park downstream to Lover’s Leap will be about 1.08 miles.

A landmark between the Bleachery Dam and Addis Park is the railroad bridge carrying the Housatonic Railroad over Lake Lillinonah, this crossing located about one fifth mile downstream from the Bleachery Dam. After the railroad bridge, note in the east bank the GMS Rowing Center.

Addis Park is owned by New Milford and managed by the New Milford Parks and Recreation Department. That Department provides maintenance and the Town provides insurance coverage.

Addis Park in New Milford, CT

This park has sanitary facilities in the summer, a paved ramp and grassy picnic areas. This park is known to be a favorite launching site for members of the Housatonic Valley Paddle Club. But parking is an issue, as daily parking permits are needed and may be all taken.

Addis Park provides good access to the mouth of the Still River downstream and further downstream past the Still to Lover’s Leap. The downstream paddle distance from Addis Park on Lake Lillinonah to the mouth of the Still River is about .70 miles. It is possible to enter the Still River there and paddle about two thirds of a mile up to the first of the rapids in HarryBrooke Park.

Continuing south and reaching Lovers Leap, located at the entrance to the main body of Lake Lillinonah, the paddle distance from the Leap south to the mouth to the Still River is .38 miles.

As the main section of Lake Lillinonah is open with good vistas, paddler orientation is generally not a problem. Paddling times can be estimated at about 3 miles per hour, but head or tail winds can influence this.

Between Still River Road downstream to Lovers Leap the Housatonic River flows thru a narrow gorge. Caution for paddlers is needed here due to the wakes of power boats in the narrow River and the possibility of a strong current if the River is high.

It was former New Milford State Representative Jeanne Garvey Stax who led the lobbying to make this area a Connecticut state park. Bob Gates of Northeast Generating Services, a member of the board of Friends of Lovers Leap State Park, has indicated that parking for canoe and kayak access is planned.

The Housatonic River thru Lovers Leap Gorge in New Milford, CT

An important pedestrian link has been proposed in the vicinity by the Town of New Milford. This would link the new Lovers Lead State Park with New Milford's Ball Field Park off of Pickett District Road. It will allow pedestrians and recreational foot traffic to pass between these two facilities.

The only connection between these properties is a 1913 plate girder railroad bridge, still in railroad use and not safe for pedestrian passage. The bridge will be retrofitted to incorporate safe passage for pedestrians.

Housatonic Valley River Trail in red, terminating at combination
in green of Lovers Leap State Park trails and New Milford Greenway
trails. Proposed kayak put in and take out locations shown in orange.

In January of 2007 the Friends of Lover's Leap State Park, Inc. proposed a new kayak an canoe access points in the vicinity of the new Park. According to that group's grant proposal "the first ramp is at the northwest corner of the Park, west of the railroad tracks and south of the confluence of the Still and Housatonic Rivers. The proposed area is a cove where water currents are minimal."

Continuing,"the second ramp as at the northeast area of the Park immediately adjacent to the Park where the old town highway ran prior to the creation of the Shepaug Dam. A parking area is proposed on the north side of the unused town road...

The project is proposed to be done in coordination with the King's Mark Resource and Conservation and Development Area who have already championed numerous kayak entry points along the Housatonic and Still Rivers... The entire River Trail system benefits from the increased potential for usage and the decreased time between available entry/exit locations."

Looking back upstream from Lovers Leap, the Addis Park launch area is about 1.08 miles distant.

Then looking downstream from Lovers Leap, the New Milford - Brookfield Line is about 2.13 miles distant, and then to reach the put in at the Route 133 Bridge in Brookfield an additional 2.91 miles after that.

Then from the Route 133 Bridge to the Shepaug Dam is another 4.39 miles. Thus the total paddle distance on Lake Lillinonah, from Lovers Leap State Park downstream to the head of Lake Lillinonah at the Shepaug Dam, is estimated at 9.94 miles.

A summary of the River Trail's paddle distances in the Town of New Milford is as follows:

1.48 MILES, SEGA PARK TO BOARDMAN BRIDGE
2.42 MILES, BOARDMAN BRIDGE TO YOUNG’S FIELD
.51 MILES, YOUNG’S FIELD TO BLEACHERY DAM NORTH PORTAGE
.93 MILES, BLEACHERY DAM SOUTH PORTAGE TO ADDIS PARK
.70 MILES, ADDIS PARK TO MOUTH OF STILL
.38 MILES, MOUTH OF STILL THRU GORGE TO LOVERS LEAP
2.13 MILES, LOVERS LEAP TO BROOKFIELD - NEW MILFORD LINE
8.55 MILES, TOTAL

This inventory continues downstream along the Housatonic.

--- RIVER TRAIL HOME
--- MANAGEMENT PLAN
--- 1. Plan for Still River in Danbury
--- 2. Plan for Still River in Brookfield
--- 3. Plan for Still River in New Milford
--- 4. Plan for Housatonic River thru New Milford
--- 5. Plan for Housatonic River from Bridgewater to Monroe