Paddlers Launch New Connecticut River Guide

by Sue Bingaman, Contributing Writer

      John Sinton and  Elizabeth Farnsworth recently launched their new book,  Connecticut River Boating Guide: Source to Sea, a guide to exploring the river with talks at libraries and book stores throughout the area. A fascinating river admired for its ability to provide power, transportation and food, the Connecticut runs through the heart of New England, "mostly meandering but rushing forcefully at times flowing past a diverse landscape of rural communities, rich agricultural land, urban centers, converging rivers and tidal marshes", according to Sinton and Farnsworth.

A Classic Guide

     This is a handy, authoritative guide for boaters, canoeists, kayakers and armchair adventurers. The third edition of the book, also co-authored by Wendy Sinton, was published in cooperation with the Connecticut River Watershed Council, the river's primary watchdog and steward. Published as a Falcon Guide by the Globe Pequot press the book may be purchased for $19.95 at any bookstore. Council members John Sinton, Elizabeth Farnsworth and Wendy Sinton completely revised the guide basing the new GPS-compatible maps on their latest survey of the river and on the expertise of numerous local river experts. 

     The authors  paddled the entire 410 miles of the Connecticut from its  headwaters near the Canadian border where it 'trickles to life from spring-fed bogs and brooks' to its confluence with Long Island Sound to gather their detailed, current and practical knowledge of the river. From that hands on experience they describe, "Mile by mile 28 different 'reaches' or segments of reasonable paddling lengths starting at the headwaters so you can gauge your location and the distance to the next camp site or access point while on the river." Sinton added, "We point out key landmarks, navigation hazards and optional put-ins and take-outs."

Comprehensive Detail

      Ms. Farnsworth said that she and the Sintons, "Wanted to bring a scholarly element to the book as well," so they included information on river dynamics, overviews of the river's geology, ecology as it relates to specific sections of the river,  natural history, human history and even information about fisheries. They also describe their favorite places along the way. 

       Made to be used on the river, the new guide features maps and charts on facing pages, GPS-compatible maps and a waterproof cover with rounded edges to guarantee a long life of hard use. Farnsworth also stressed that "The river will change, so readers should let us know of  changes they find because we are continually updating the book."

 Twenty Eight Reaches Described      

       Twenty eight reaches, ranging in length from 9 to 21 miles, take paddlers down the river through Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Each  reach can be completed in a day. The description of each reach containes six elements: a map, at- a -glance information, an overview with points of interest, a boating facilities table, a detailed description of miles and directions, and a side-bar highlighting notable historic, geological, cultural or natural history features you'll see along the way.

       As an example of the concise 'At-a-Glance information': Reach 17 Putney to Vernon Dam, begins at mile 153.5 and goes for 15 miles. It is navigable by kayaks, canoes and motorboats. It is quick water and flat water. There is a half mile portage at mile 138.5. Camping at Wantastiquet Primitive Campsite, Brattleboro, Vermont. United States Government Survey map is Brattleboro 15.

         The 'Boating Facilities Table' lists access points, landings, campsites and portage trails. The Table provides information about ramps and the suitability for boat types; the availability of parking; proximity of food and other supplies; public camping and toilet facilities; and whether there are fees for parking or services. In the Putney to Vernon Dam reach nine access points are describe in these details.

          In the 'Miles and Directions' section the Guide reads, "Mile 153.5: Put in at Putney Landing, a small ramp on the river's right bank near the Putney Inn." It continues to describe points of interest every few miles. At Mile 144 it describes, "Majestic 1,300 foot Wantastiquet Mountain looms over the river on the New Hampshire side  while the buildings of Brattleboro, Vermont, claim the right bank south of the West River." It goes on to tell about Brattleboro as a military outport in 1724 and as "a charming town filled with shops and restaurants today." It details Rudyard Kipling's residence Naulakha and his writing of the Jungle Books in the 1890's. Bringing it to the present Brattleboro now hosts the annual "Strolling of the Heifers", a festive and educational celebration of Vermont's dairy industry.

          The authors obviously enjoyed their project. Their enthusiasm abounds. "One of the coolest things we discovered is that we have our own rift valley," Farnsworth noted, alluding to the famous African valley where ancient tectonic plates split and human life as we know it began to develop.  "In our case", she said, "the Connecticut River came about by continents pulling apart and creating north-to-south fault line. That is why we have French King Gorge in Northfield, Massachusetts and Bartons Cove!"

                    The Sintons and Farnsworth --and their new guidebook-- make it easy, interesting and fun to plan a paddling adventure to experience and enjoy our wonderful natural resource, the Connecticut River.