Housatonic
3. Bulls Bridge Dam to Power Plant(Bulls)
| Difficulty | IV |
| Length | 2.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Housatonic River at Gaylordsville, Ct |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 1400 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 20, 2026 |
River Description
Boaters Gauge Link
Use the link bellow for the boaters gauge correlation. The boaters gauge is on the downstream side of the bridge on river right.
Access and local knowledge:
The Housatonic is one of the most endangered whitewater runs in the northeast. American Whitewater and the Housatonic Area Canoe and Kayak Squad (HACKS) have fought hard and unsuccessfully to secure releases on this run. There are strong fisherman lobby groups and developers at odds with the whitewater boaters. Letters writing and support of American Whitewater and, locally, the HACKS, can help ensure that this gem of a river will flow at sufficient levels for whitewater recreation.
Rapids:
The Bull's Bridge section starts above or below Staircase, a steep, class-V rapid that drops rapidly over a short distance and is choked with boulders. The 'boaters' gauge' is on river right downstream of the covered bridge. It is visible from the window on the downstream side of the bridge.
The second rapid of note, the Flume, is a class-IV drop that is found below a wavetrain of shallow yet surfable waves (surfing rapid) and also below a difficult (class VI) rapid called Dead Horse that flows into the Housatonic on river right. The drop's namesake is a fairly forgiving chute of water that falls over a short ledge and is generally run right to left. This drop can be scouted on river right but it probably best scouted while in your warm cloths by hiking a short trail that is across the (non-covered) bridge from the parking area. There is a lookout platform upstream of this drop but it is not an effective view for scouting the drop.
Before the section of flatwater that follows the rapid below the flume, it is worth noting, is a large rock called House Rock. It is an excellent splat rock but use caution since the water beyond the upstream surface
...River Features
Stairway to Hell
A short hike up river from the bridge is Stairway to Hell.
At levels bellow 3ft its class IV-IV+. Above 3 ft it is all of class V and the left line opens up. The lines here are simple but pose consequences to physical well being and a bruised ego if you mess up and miss your roll. Scout it and be confident in your line before you put on.
The main hazards are two stacked holes bellow the top drop. The first is Mushroom hole which fully develops into a mean horseshoe hole around 3ft. It is best to have someone with a throw bag there at that point as it will keep you out of your boat if you swim. The next is a ledge hole just downstream called Little Niagra. If you go into it you'll go for a ride and eventually flush. In general safety is best set having your friends in boats ready to pick up after you at the bottom.
Around 5-6 ft + on the boaters gauge the sneak boof on river right opens up.
The classic level is 2ft - 2.5 ft as the features are pronounced but the holes aren't juiced up yet.
Put In
Put in just above the bridge at the bottom of stairway. There are stairs leading down to a large rock that you can seal slide off of.
Deadhorse
Deadhorse is a class V rapid that comes in on river right bellow surfers and above the flume. It's a few hundred yards of class III-IV that leads into a left to right IV-V crux move at the bottom. DO NOT GO FAR LEFT at the bottom drop as there is a sieve. It is best run above 5ft with the sweet spot being at about 6.5ft. At 7ft and up it gets STOUT so be on your toes.
To scout walk past the covered bridge a few hundred yards and scout above and bellow the concrete bridge. This section tends to collect wood so take note of any before you put on. There is a lookout platform before the concrete bridge on the left that provides a good visual of the main drop. Put in at the dam upstream of the bridge.
Pencil Sharpener
Pencil Sharpener is essentially a field of ledge waves and holes that change with different levels.
The line that goes at any level is going from center right and down the middle with the goal of avoiding the river right side of the Pencil Sharpener hole. The river left side of the Pencil Sharpener hole is a really good surf wave that comes and goes with different levels. Bellow that there is a ledge hole thats great for doing spins and side surfing which usually flushes out around 4ft. Aside from that if you know it dissect this rapid as you wish.
At 5ft a really good boof comes in on the left side half way down the rapid. You want to hit it 3-6 ft out from shore. It is best between 6ft to 7.5-8ft on the boaters gauge then after that a big hole forms that you want nothing to do with.
Tenmile Confluence Rapids
At the Tenmile Confluence there is a good section of Class II before the flats. Some nice eddy hopping and surf waves come in and out with varying levels. On the far left side there are two big rocks. The left rock is a sweet splat that forms a good eddy line for stern squirts just bellow it. You can attain back up and splat the rock over and over. The right rock is a good boof when the river is over 8ft. A few hundred yards down stream there is a large rock on river right. Another nice eddy line forms here for doing stern squirts, cartwheels, etc.
George's Hole
Fun play hole/wave. Higher water (6+ft) brings in play waves above and bellow. Good boogie boarding at low water (1ft and under). Great spot for boaters of any skill set.
Take Out
Take out at the power station with the big green towers on river left
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportGroup of paddlers. Video shows different sections (labeled).
Bulls Bridge is usually running anytime the river levels are listed at 1400 cfs or above. The power station uses about 1000 cfs, so that would be 400 cfs. Pretty low and technical but fun. At this level we usually hike back a mile on the Appalachian trail on river right after the gorge because the river widens and gets very scratchy. When the gauge says 2000 cfs Bulls will be a blast. The top rapid, known as staircase or (stairway to the locals) is more of a class V than a IV. Its steep and technical with some mean holes at high water and lotds of big potholes in the bedrock. Scout it out! If in doubt of the level or the power plant status you can call the local Outfitter and Kayak Shop, Clarke Outdoors at 860-672-6365.
The map is incorrect, and does not match the description of the take-out (the described take-out is south of the put-in).
There are two holes above the flume. The hole on the right is notorious for grabbing your stearn and sending you over the flume upside down. Catch the right shoulder of the first hole and skip past the second one.
This is the flume at bulls bridge at 2 feet on the boaters gauge
Example of impacts to Bulls Bridge
section from hydropower diversions.