Salmon - Jeremy,

Old route 2 to covered bridge at Hwy 16

Usual Difficulty	II (may vary with level)
Length	5.3 Miles

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
SALMON RIVER NEAR EAST HAMPTON, CT.
usgs-01193500	3.45 - 8.00 ft	II	04h17m	3.3 ft (rc= -0.0 )

River Description

An alternate put in to the Old Hartford Rd listed in many guide books is the commuter parking lot off of exit 16 on route 2. This avoids the area that passes under the highway which is generally clogged with strainers. Easiest river access is from the end of the parking lot nearest the highway where the slope isn’t as steep.

To reach the takeout at the covered bridge head south on route 149. Take a right on route 16 for approximately 2 miles. Take a right on Comstock Bridge Rd and park at the covered bridge.

The initial section is a good warm up and at higher levels is a series of nice wave trains. Watch for strainers through this section. Currently there is a large river wide strainer just before the dam impoundment. It is easily visible from upstream and can be portaged on either side. If the level is over 1400 cfs a small channel opens up through the brush on river left that allow you to get around without a portage. Just after this strainer the river passes under a small bridge and into the dam impoundment. Portage on river left and depending on water level put in at the base of the dam or cross to the other side of RT 149 through the small field. This can also be used as a good put in spot with parking at the abandoned factory.

From here the Jeremy travels away from the road for the next mile until it meets the Black ledge river and forms the Salmon River. The river shortly goes around an island to the right. The left channel is currently not navigable. At this point the river runs alongside the dirt fisherman’s access road. This part of the river is a series of smaller rapids. At higher level (>2000 cfs) it becomes a series of wave trains. Approximately 2 miles after the start of the Salmon and shortly after the handicapped fishing area the breached dam comes into view. Take out on river right to scout or portage. The normal line is through the slot about 15 feet off the right bank. An alternate line can be found on the far left side. The middle is all undercut on the downstream side and forms a nasty hydraulic, especially at higher water. The waves below the dam provide a fast surf with good eddy service around 1000 cfs. Higher levels tend to wash the eddies out. After the dam the river curves to the right with several waves and holes to play in depending on level. The last wave before a stretch of flat water is Tucker’s wave. At higher levels (>1000 cfs) this is a fun wave to surf and worth the paddle back up for. Around 3000 cfs it is 4-5 ft high starting to break. After a short stretch of flat water the river enters a small rapid with the takeout just around the corner at the covered bridge. An alternate takeout can be found by continuing downstream to the Salmon River State forest on the left.