06/21/2025
Since today is River Rocks, here is a history of how the West Branch became a historic Wild and Scenic Waterway
CELEBRATION OF THE RIVER AT RIVER ROCKS ON JUNE 21st AT HURLEY PARK IN NEW HARTFORD
August 26, 1994 was probably just another sunny warm summer day on the West Branch of the Farmington River in New Hartford. Anglers in their tall waders were waist deep in their favorite fishing spots in its waters, hoping to catch a large trout, kayakers were happily paddling down the river with groups of friends, a hiker possibly stopped by from one of the numerous trails with his Golden Retriever to get a refreshing drink from the river’s cool waters, boisterous tubers shot through the Class I-III rapids at Satan’s Kingdom further downstream, while on another quiet stretch upriver in People’s Forest, campers spread out a picnic lunch and just gazed at the bucolic winding river and watched American eagles float on the winds overhead.
So, what made this day so special for the West Branch of our beautiful river? Well, down in the Washington, D.C., thanks to the diligent work of former US Representative Nancy Johnson and US Senator Lowell Weicker, and later also championed by US Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman, Congress passed legislation that included the Upper-most 14 miles of the West Branch of the Farmington River, making it eligible for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers system, which stretches from the Goodwin Dam to the Nepaug River confluence in Canton. The last amendment to the Act for the West Branch was made in March of 2019, adding an additional 1.1 mile section to the System.
The original legislation in 1984 called for a study to add the West Branch as a Wild and Scenic River, which was prompted by local concerns that the river water would be augmented to supply water to Greater Hartford, and prompted by the desire to preserve the integrity of the river, its free-flowing condition and outstanding fisheries, wildlife, recreation, wildlife and historic values. The development of a management plan was created by the tireless efforts of a diverse group of community interest groups along with local Selectmen-appointed representatives from every riverfront town on the West Branch partnering with State, Federal and area associations, and the Farmington River Coordinating Committee (FRWA.) These comprised, as called for in the Act, the Farmington River Coordinating Committee, which to this day, continues to work together for the long term protection of the Upper Farmington River.
On June 21st, River Rocks will feature educational activities about the River’s unique ecosystem, its history and ways to protect this natural resource. The New Hartford Historical Society is pleased to be one of the cosponsors of the Festival. To read more about the history and the local process leading up to passage of the Wild and Scenic legislation and the Congressional floor speeches, please go to the New Hartford Historical Society’s website at
Join us at River Rocks this coming Saturday. Click here for River Rocks Website Come visit our booth for some interesting items and information about the influence the River has had on our town. The West Branch of the Farmington is a Partnership Wild and Scenic River, according to the National Park....
