[19][20], The Pennacook tribe mediated many early disagreements between colonists and other Indian tribes, with a territory stretching roughly from the Massachusetts border with Vermont and New Hampshire, northward to the rise of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. For decades, Springfield remained the Massachusetts Bay Colony's westernmost settlement, on the northern border of the Connecticut Colony. Major cities on the Connecticut River are Hartford and Springfield, which lie 45 and 69 miles (70 and 110 km) upriver respectively. The White River from Vermont and Ammonoosuc River from New Hampshire brought more logs into the Connecticut. Love Connecticut? The cities of Springfield and Hartford in particular became centers of innovation and "intense and concentrated prosperity. The high volume and numerous falls of the river led to the rise of industry along its banks during the Industrial Revolution. Most of the river from Lake Francis south is open to lure and bait as well. Westport. Visit the friendly town of Berlin in the Connecticut River Valley for outdoor recreation and local history. The Connecticut River is the longest river in New England. Demand was reduced to sustainable levels by 1989, reaching approximately a 25% margin of safety by 2009. After the first major dam was built near Turners Falls, Massachusetts, thirteen additional dams have ended the Connecticut River's great anadromous fish runs. [36] A final pulp drive consisted of 100,000 cords of four-foot logs in 1918. The lower Pioneer Valley corresponds to the Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan area, the region's urban center, and the seat of Hampden County. The Pioneer Valley is the colloquial and promotional name for the portion of the Connecticut River Valley that is in Massachusetts in the United States. These river towns aren’t the only way you can catch peaceful water views. The treaty allowed the Dutch to maintain their trading post at Fort Huys de Hoop, which they did until the 1664 British takeover of New Netherland. Springfield Settlement Driven by William Pynchon Historic Towns of the Connecticut River Valley Paperback – April 6, 2010 by George Simon Roberts (Author) 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating. The Connecticut River is a barrier to travel between western and eastern New England. If you’re looking for a truly exceptional way to spend a beautiful spring day, these charming river towns are perfect for an in-state escape. Two tail-water dams provide cold river water for miles downstream, making for bountiful summer fishing on the Connecticut. With this in mind, they founded Wethersfield, Connecticut in 1633, several miles south of the Dutch fort at Hartford. [48] The river drops more than 2,480 feet (760 m) in elevation as it winds south to the border of Massachusetts where it sits 190 feet (58 m) above sea level. When the jam at Hadley, Massachusetts, gave way, the water crest overflowed the dam at Holyoke, overwhelming the sandbagging there. [9], Early spellings of the name by European explorers included "Cannitticutt" in French[10] or in English. In response, the Massachusetts Bay Colony solidified its friendship with Springfield by levying a toll on Connecticut Colony ships entering Boston Harbor. All Aboard the Hues Cruise Connecticut’s Lower Connecticut River Valley | Late Peak. The first group of pioneers left the Plymouth Colony in 1632 and ultimately founded the village of Matianuck (which became Windsor, Connecticut) several miles north of the Dutch fort. Portions of the 240-mile Franklin County Bikeway and Norwottuck Rail Trail are accessible from the byway. By 1654, however, the success of these English settlements rendered the Dutch position untenable on the Connecticut River. Here you find town greens, white, steepled churches, and unique explorations, include a riverside train paired with a riverboat ride, and walking trails to a real castle. Species diversity is higher in the southern part of the watershed (Connecticut and Massachusetts) than in the northern part (Vermont and New Hampshire), largely due to differences in stream gradient and substrate. The nuclear plant was closed at the end of 2014, and the shad population increased. Boutique shopping, museums, and restaurants are all available here. [13], The Pequots dominated a territory in the southern region of the Connecticut River valley, stretching roughly from the river's mouth at Old Saybrook, Connecticut north to just below the Big Bend at Middletown. [31] Boundary disputes between Vermont and New Hampshire lasted for nearly 150 years and were finally settled in 1933, when the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed King George's boundary as the ordinary low-water mark on the Vermont shore. The river is an important conduit of many anadromous fish, such as American shad, lamprey, and Atlantic salmon. When the water receded, it left behind silt-caused mud which in places was 3 feet (1 m) thick; the recovery effort in Springfield, at the height of the American Great Depression, took approximately a decade. The Pocomtuc village of Agawam[17] eventually became Springfield, situated on the Bay Path where the Connecticut River meets the western Westfield River and eastern Chicopee River. George Simon Roberts. Middletown. Connecticut River, longest stream in New England, rising in the Connecticut lakes in northern New Hampshire, U.S. After flowing about 9 miles (14 km) through New Hampshire, it moves roughly southwestward and forms the border between New Hampshire and Vermont for … The upper Pioneer Valley region includes the smaller cities of Northampton and Greenfield, the county seats of Ham… [64], A number of colonial animal species make their home in the waters of the Connecticut. See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions. [52] The Trust for Public Land worked in partnership with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire, and others to raise around $42 million. They pass an additional elevator in Turners Falls, Massachusetts and make it at least as far as Bellows Falls, Vermont. [23] He called it the "Fresh River" and claimed it for the Netherlands as the northeastern border of the New Netherland colony. The Connecticut is one of the few major rivers in the United States without a major city at its mouth because of this obstacle. Of particular mention is the Jesup's milk-vetch, a federally-listed endangered species of which the only known occurrences are along the Connecticut River. [5] It produces 70% of Long Island Sound's fresh water, discharging at 18,400 cubic feet (520 m3) per second. You decide! It has devilish lore, a famous opera house, a historic castle, a ferry and more! Some local police departments and the state Environmental Conservation Police patrol the area a few times a week. [5] Among the most extensively dammed rivers in the United States, the Connecticut may soon flow at a more natural pace, according to scientists at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, who have devised a computer that – "in an effort to balance human and natural needs" – coordinates the holding and releasing of water between the river's 54 largest dams. Occasionally, these villages endured invasions from more aggressive confederated tribes living in New York, such as the Mohawk, Mahican, and Iroquois tribes. Explore Willow Brook Park and Ragged Mountain Preserve or spend an afternoon at a historic home like the Kellogg-Eddy House or Stanley-Whitman House. The Connecticut River Valley supports a rich and diverse selection of plant communities as well. You'll love the way history comes to life here. [68] In Massachusetts, the most active stretch of the Connecticut River is centered on the Oxbow, 14 miles (23 km) north of Springfield in the college town of Northampton. The Swift River, a tributary of the Chicopee, has been dammed and largely replaced by the Quabbin Reservoir which provides water to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority district in eastern Massachusetts, including Boston and its metropolitan area. It is home to many wildlife species, including peregrine falcon, osprey, bobcat, bald eagle and moose as well as offering excellent fishing. [26] It was initially named Agawam Plantation and was allied with the settlements to the south that became the state of Connecticut, but it switched allegiances in 1641 and was renamed Springfield in honor of Pynchon's native town in England.[26]. Currently, a website provides water quality reports twice a week, indicating whether various portions of the river are safe for swimming, boating and fishing.[73][74]. Due to the presence of large, shifting sandbars at its mouth, the Connecticut is the only major river in the Northeastern United States without a port at its mouth.[56]. 1636). Pynchon surmised that traders using any of these routes would have to dock and change ships at his site, thereby granting the settlement a commercial advantage. Numerous tribes lived throughout the fertile Connecticut River valley prior to Dutch exploration beginning in 1614. This census-designated village in Stonington is a colorful oasis. The Connecticut River Valley is mostly urban in the Knowledge Corridor region surrounding the cities of Springfield and Hartford (the two of which lie only 24 mi apart). Connecticut’s Largest Chocolate Retailer, Munson’s, Has Sold Delicious Treats Since 1946, A Cozy Bake Shop In Connecticut, Leisha’s Bakeria Serves Scrumptious Breakfast Sandwiches, For Over 40 Years, Mancuso’s Restaurant Has Served Authentic Italian Food In Connecticut, Home To An Impressive Oyster Bar, Water Street Cafe Is A Delicious Connecticut Gem, The Shoreline Road Trip In Connecticut That Takes You Through The Most Charming Coastal Towns, The Quiet Fishing Town In Connecticut That Seems Frozen In Time, The Tiny Beach Town In Connecticut You’ve Never Heard Of But Need To Visit, Journey To The Last Town In Connecticut For A Magical Day Trip, 10 Charming River Towns In Connecticut To Visit This Spring, Six Connecticut Restaurants Right On The River That You’re Guaranteed To Love. The Upper Connecticut River Valley extends from Brattleboro, VT, in the south to Woodsville, NH, in the north, and includes towns on both banks. The dam at Vernon, Vermont, was topped by 19 feet (5.8 m). [39] These spring drives were stopped after 1915, when pleasure boat owners complained about the hazards to navigation. Talk about views of the water! Together with Hanover and White River Junction, Lebanon today is center of a Micropolitan Statistical Area, encompassing nearly 30 towns along the upper Connecticut River valley. Historic Towns of the Connecticut River Valley [44], The creation of the Quabbin Reservoir in the 1930s diverted the Swift River, which feeds the Chicopee River, a tributary of the Connecticut. Rescue efforts using a flotilla of boats saved people trapped in upper stories of buildings, bringing them to local fraternal lodges, schools, churches and monasteries for lodging, medical care, and food. 1635) and Springfield (est. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! She is a social boss who has worked with several major sites and brands. Several log drivers died trying to move logs through Perry Falls in Pittsburg. Unprecedented accumulated ice jams compounded the problems created by the flood, diverting water into unusual channels and damming the river, raising water levels even further. [16] The agricultural Pocomtuc tribe lived in unfortified villages alongside the Connecticut River north of the Enfield Falls on the fertile stretch of hills and meadows surrounding Springfield, Massachusetts. Nicknamed "The Rose of New England" you can bet there's beauty to be found here. You'll find plenty of things to do, including some pretty scrumptious dining options. It flows through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis for 14 miles (23 km), all within the town of Pittsburg, and then widens as it delineates 255 miles (410 km) of the border between New Hampshire and Vermont. This town sits on the mouth of the Connecticut River and is also coastal. Today it is an adventure destination for boaters, bird-watchers, canoeists and kayakers. 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