Farmington, W. Branch, Massachusetts, US

1. Reservoir Road to Iron Bridge (Upper New Boston)

Short boat? Lean forward boy!

Short boat? Lean forward boy!
Photo of Todd Haner by Erica Frederick taken 10/15/04 @ low

Gauge Information

River Description

The Farmington is often run during the autumn drawdown of Otis Reservoir.

ChuckB, on the Northeast Paddlers' Massage Board, says:
"This should be a fairly easy class II, although it is a lot more rocky and techical than Fife Brook. It is pretty steep for a class II, but the small volume keeps the pace slow.
"Each of the sections (Bear's Den Section, New Boston Section, and Upper New Boston) is a couple/few miles long and any one or two or three of them can be run together. Those three harder spots are pretty cool, especially one that has a four foot drop 'cause you can watch your probe disappear for a moment before reappearing behind the horizon line (unless you are the probe). This is a great river to work on your eddy hopping and boat scouting skills. Keep an eye out for strainers as the narrowness of the river could easily make a strainer impassable. There is not much in they way of play on this river, but idiots like me still try as evidenced by the scratches on my helmet and the gouges in my boat. The release level is really boney, so pray for some rain to supplement it."

The Farmington releases come down out of Otis Reservoir. If you're looking for a bit of steep Class-V fun, check out Fall River.
Check out the river description at the Farmington River Watershed Association website.

Directions from the center of Otis, Mass: you can put in at the bridge or continue south for another 1.5 miles to the intersection of Reservoir Road on your left. During the Fall release you can put in at a field approximately ¼ mile north of this intersection, where the release from Fall River comes into the Farmington. The takeout is approximately 2.5 miles south of Reservoir Road intersection on MA Rte. 8 by an iron bridge.
For a map with directions, click on the "Directions" tab.