New England is blessed with an abundance of diverse and beautiful rivers that run throughout urban, suburban and rural landscapes to eventually drain to an abundant and extraordinary resource, the Connecticut River. The Connecticut River is the largest river in New England and is one of 14 designated American Heritage Rivers in the United States.
The designation of the Connecticut River as the first National Blueway in May 2012 was an affirmation that the preservation and restoration of this cultural and environmental asset is strongly intertwined with our quality of life and prosperity. The designation also acknowledges the decades of collaborative efforts of individuals and groups who saw the river's potential
and contributed to its restoration-taking it from being coined 'the best landscaped sewer' in the nation to being a nationally recognized treasure. Millions of dollars in public funds have been used to clean up the Connecticut River and its tributaries over the past decade and, as a result, the river is now much cleaner. The Connecticut River is a working river, and we invite
others to come enjoy it and help us keep it clean and full of life. Together we have an opportunity to be a model for the nation's rivers.
The information on this website will guide Connecticut River watershed residents and visitors in using the river for recreation and supporting its continued water quality improvement,
including information about:
- River access points for recreation
- Current water quality data including E. coli bacteria
- How clean is the river for swimming and boating at specific access points
- Posted fish consumption advisories
- Recreational trails in the Connecticut River watershed
- Studies and research concerning the Connecticut River
- News about efforts to clean up and improve water quality in the Connecticut River and its watershed
This website is designed to help you get out and explore the Connecticut River watershed.
Our hope is you'll love our watershed as much as we do. ENJOY!