Farmington River Watershed Association

06/05/2026

Happy Friday from the Farmington River! Don't forget to check out the great CT Trails Days events this weekend! 🛶🌊🥾☀️

06/04/2026

Experience the beauty of the Upper Wild & Scenic Farmington River through a unique 25 piece quilt, now on display on the second floor of the Hurley Business Center in New Hartford!

The quilt will be on display through the end of June and coincides with the New Hartford River Rocks Festival on Saturday, June 20th. While the festival takes place outdoors along the river, visitors can step inside the Hurley Building to view this stunning artistic tribute to the Farmington River.

Be sure to stop in and see the exhibit while enjoying all that the River Rocks Festival has to offer!

37 Greenwoods Rd. New Hartford, CT

06/02/2026

Connecticut Trails Day this weekend features more than 200 free guided hikes across the state for all skill levels.

06/01/2026

Black Bridge Pool by Carol R. Eaton, Shelton, CT Section 22

“I gave this project a lot of thought prior to sketching a design. The Farmington River is a valuable resource shared by wildlife and the local communities. I wasn’t sure if I should add people enjoying the river or animals frolicking on the riverbanks. . . what season should I represent?! My heart told me to create a peaceful scene which would allow the viewer to think about the serenity and joy the river brings to them individually. The goal of the project is to heighten awareness of both cultural and environmental forces that affect the river. . . so, in the end I left out people and animals with the hopes that the viewer focuses on the river and how they can best advocate on behalf of its needs.”

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“Black Bridge Pool is long and deep. Anglers are advised that BIG trout linger in the depths. Today it is smooth and placid. A pair of Common Mergansers cruise languidly. To the west, riffles sparkle in the sunshine, mirroring the speckled bark of the Sycamore trees that line the shore. The water is clear and clean and the path that I walk is litter free. I wish I could linger longer to absorb the peacefulness. A small roiling in the water catches my attention and reminds me that otters have been known to gambol in this place. I am not lucky enough to see any today; perhaps the colony has moved. I am certain they will be back and I will someday again be able to revel in their exuberance.”

Alison Murdock - New Hartford, CT

05/28/2026

BRISTOL — The City of Bristol’s Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services is partnering with the Farmington River Watershed Association for the establishment of a 13,500 square foot

05/27/2026

The City of Bristol and FRWA teamed up for a riparian buffer planting around the stream and pond at Veterans Memorial Park in Bristol, CT throughout May 2026!

This buffer was installed to peacefully deter geese from overpopulating the area, and consists of 230 native trees and shrubs as well as 1300 native perennial plugs. The addition of these plants will create shelter and food for local wildlife and pollinators while adding even more scenic value to this beautiful park.

Thank you to the City of Bristol, FRWA staff, and everyone who volunteered their time to make this huge project a success!

05/26/2026

The Wall by MaryPat Leger, Wi******er Center, CT Section 21

“I drive by this spot on my way to work and often see an eagle soaring overhead or sitting in a tree along the river. This scene is a composite of two photographs. You cannot actually see this view of the river. You can either stand across the street and see the wall and the trees and hills, but not the river or you can walk up to the wall and see the river far below and the trees on the far bank and the hills. I wanted to show both so I merged the images together to create my quilt.”

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“It is always a surprise when paddling through New Hartford to find a huge concrete wall.
When rivers flow around corners, the force of the water works against the outside bank and wears it down. The bank erodes, soil and rocks are pushed aside and the river eventually moves. The main road through New Hartford is the current RT 44, the old turnpike to Albany. The western riverbank probably needed to be reinforced soon after the first of many thousand wagon wheel tracks rutted the road. The current wall certainly was not the first to protect The Dugway section of RT 44.

New Hartford was once a bustling industrial center, using the water flow down the West Branch of the Farmington River for waterpower and waste assimilation. The Chapin Company (1826-1914), manufacturer of carpenter tools and measuring tools, was once upstream of the Wall, on the site of the current Dunkin Donuts and they had canals going out into the Farmington River. There was a railroad bridge over the site to Callahan Park. It is unclear exactly when the current wall was constructed but it appears to be after the flood of 1936. The wall weathered the flood of 1955, with just the very top edge showing above the raging waters.

A Guide to Fishing the Farmington published by the Farmington River Anglers Association reads: During the early season, it is not uncommon to see many people fishing from the top of the wall and hoisting their fish all the way from the water to the top of the wall. This is where rumor says Gus lives, a legendary creature of mythical proportions.”

David Sinish - Canton, CT

05/21/2026

In 2001, the Farmington Land Trust installed an accessible pier at its Douglass-Mount Property, creating a riverside space where people of all mobility levels could enjoy the Farmington River. Over time, the pier required repeated maintenance due to its location at the confluence of Unionville Brook and the bend in the Farmington River, which often flooded during many storm events. As conditions worsened and increased erosion occurred, safe access to the site was compromised, and the pier was ultimately closed to the public.

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The land trust has collaborated with the National Park Service, CT DEEP, The Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic Committee, the Town of Farmington, FRWA, and other community partners to develop a solution that honors the project’s original intent and strengthens the health of the river. The project has included the removal of the impaired pier and restoration of the riverbank back to its natural location, installation of a revetment wall, and starting in fall of 2026, the construction of a new boardwalk and viewing platform.

In spring of 2026, FRWA and Farmington Land trust collaborated to create a riparian buffer using native plants, which will further reduce erosion, stabilize the bank, provide storm water filtration, create food and shelter for local wildlife, and enhance the scenic value of the site.


New Native Species at the Site:

Brome Sedge (Carex bromoides)
Maiden Hair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis)
Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)
Red-Oiser Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Pretty Sedge (Carex woodii)
White Wood Aster (Eurybia diyaricata)

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

Ovation Pool by Katherine Wadsworth, Farmington CT Section 20

"I was drawn to this quilt project by happy coincidence and because of the river itself. I am not a quilter but a printmaker, only having done one square before, for the Farmington Commemorative Quilt, in the 70’s. The river has been running through my life in all sorts of different ways all these years. It is a constant inspiration. When I was a kid, no one swam in the river, it was too contaminated with all sorts of industrial and other kinds of waste. Later, as awareness grew through environmental nonprofits like the Farmington River Watershed Association, efforts to clean up, appreciate and protect the Farmington River flourished. From the mid 1970 s until 2010 I flew hot air balloons over the Farmington River valley and gained an even deeper appreciation for the Farmington River. We can be very thankful to all those individuals, advocates, associations and politicians, who have been instrumental in safe guarding this spectacular natural resource over these last 50 plus years. Wild & Scenic will keep the Farmington River, as it should be for all who enjoy it, live from its waters and love the sight of it. I am grateful to take part in this project and create a stitched ode to a rambling river."
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"Ovation Pool in New Hartford is named after the Ovation Guitar Company located since 1966 in the current site of the Hurley Business Park. The business was sold in 2007, but a new company was formed and reinstated production. Ovation acoustic guitars are the highly prized instruments of scores of professional musicians. The Business Park is at the site of prior New Hartford industry. Power was provided by the impoundment of the Farmington River at the Greenwoods Dam, located not far from the existing buildings. The dam was initially constructed in 1816, and grew to be more than thirty feet high. The Greenwoods Company textile firm and later Landers, Friar and Clark used its hydropower. The dam created a reservoir of about 250 surface acres extending to the Pleasant Valley Bridge. The dam failed in 1936, destroying a large part of New Hartford industry." -David Sinish