Connecticut
1. Turners Falls Dam Bypass Reach
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 3.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Connecticut River at Montague City, Ma |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 2050 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 7, 2023 |
From the put-in you will the Turners Falls Dam to your right. Straight ahead and to the left, you’ll see an island and the ledges that are marked on the accompanying map as Opening Ledges. Depending on water level, these ledges may be paddled on either side of the island.
On the bypass run, which is about 2 1/2 miles or more, you’ll find the Opening Ledges of interest. Below, depending on water levels, there may be some Class I-II features. At levels above 10,000 cfs, more features such as surfing waves appear in several places. At higher flow levels, be sure you’re with a group experienced in big water rescue. Eventually, you encounter a small island on the right and a bigger island midstream. For paddlers with beginner skills, the two right channels may be the best choice. If you stay river left, you will come to the horizon line at Rock Dam. You don’t have to run Rock Dam; just follow around the islands to the right.
Rock Dam is a volcanic ridge that runs from the left shore to the island, with two breaks on the far river left. At water levels from about 2000 to 5000 cfs, this may be a Class II or Class III drop. At higher levels the whole ridge begins to wash out. Scouting is advised. Below Rock Dam, a large eddy forms behind the ridge at lower flows. If you have problems, head up the trails on river left, which lead to roadways.
Logistics:
Put-in: You can carry your boats on the right past the Discovery Center, across a little iron bridge that crosses the power canal, and then bear LEFT and circle back around downhill toward the right to the river’s edge. It’s a couple hundred yards carry and there’s nothing steep.
Take-out: The Poplar Street take-out is a ways downstream on river left under the bridge mentioned below.
Aug 3, 2023
On our way to Deerfield Festival Bob Nasdor and I stopped to see the Connecticut River where it is dewatered by the Turners Falls Hydroelectric Project. These images show the dam and the river channel immediately downstream of the dam.
Sep 3, 2018
Raft to give you scale of the main drop, left channel, left drop, tongue w/Rooster Tail line.
Zoar Outdoor raft with commercial guests. 6/2/2018
Sep 3, 2018
Center Channel has a small ledge and is bony by kayak, quick throw-it-over-the-top by rubber.
Mark Stevens and private crew.
Sep 3, 2018
The power canal has a few outflows, this is the first major outflow point. Nice surf wave for beginners, easy to get into and good eddy service.
Sep 3, 2018
After putting in, cross above big island to the far river right - find these ledges 'in' at most boatable levels. This is 5/11/2018 with one gate open (far river left gate) on the dam.
Mark Stevens and Matt Guertin, paddlers
Sep 3, 2018
At regular boating levels if you can see the rock ledge mid-channel of river left branch, this is an easy scout from the ledge. This is the far left 'main' drop with well defined tongue and a rooster tail. There are generally 3 lines to be had in this section, depends on level and boater.
At higher levels, a vertical drop - perfect for beginner boofers - appears on the right side of the ledge in this channel.
The middle channel has a ledge you must navigate or at lower levels, portage (really just get out and throw your boat over).
The right channel is usually open and is consistently the easiest line. You can then approach Rock Dam from below and use the island and ledge to attain for a scout if you're inclined to check it out and give it a shot.
RIck Hudson, scouting from the ledge.
May 1, 2016
Fish Study to Provide Paddling Opportuniies: May - June 2016
There will be continuous boatable flows in the Turner Falls bypass reach the entire month of May and some of June. Please try to use these flow and build interest in the reach. Flows between 2500 and 4400 cfs are excellent; flows of 1500 cfs are still paddlable. Schedule below.
The flows are part of a fish study. They want to determine if an altrasound array at the power station can keep shad away from the outflow so they will move upriver to the dam where a new fish passage devide would be installed. They will radio monitor a number of the shad releases from the Holyoke Dam. Once those fish have been recorded at Turners Falls, these flows may end. The May flows, which are the best, are pretty sure; the first two weeks of June have a good probability of happening; but the last two weeks of June may prove iffy.
