Periodically throughout the summer we will be featuring accounts from long distance swimmer, Rick Wright. Rick contacted us this spring to ask us about specifics concerning the northern stretches of the Connecticut River and to purchase a CT River Paddler’s Trail Map in preparation for swimming the full length of the river from the Quebec border to Long Island Sound. Rick, who is 72, started on his journey last year, swimming 50 miles of the CT river between Hartford and Old Saybrook CT over 8 days in the summer of 2015. Stay tuned for more news from Rick over the course of the summer!
Part 2
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Happy Dad’s day!
Yesterday, I swam from Enfield, CT to South Windsor, CT. A Reach of 10.15 miles. This is the last of CT River that is affected by tides all the way in from Long Island Sound. The entry point is the Kings Island Boat launch at about river mile 62.5. It is just below the breached Thomasville or Enfield Dam. The dam effectively stops the tide action. The river is full of surprises—this area is known for fast current and riffles for miles with very shallow water.
The current is helpful but adds to the challenge as the river is very shallow from side to side with a very stony bottom and not much swimmable water even though it is 200+ yards across. The only way to swim is to not fight the current or the sharp rocks-using hands to stay off the jagged and rough bottom. There is no more than a foot of water for almost a two mile stretch. I am surprised that I did not tear my wet suit. By the way I was in the water at 5:00 AM with 55 degree air and water temperature. One caution on this-I did not wear gloves for this stretch-but I should have!!
Once below this stretch, it is easier to enjoy the wildlife-eagles, and so on. Mostly, it is very remote and quiet-great time to think about the meaning of life and how hungry I was going to be at the end. There are so many islands and the water eventually becomes flat although still running quickly. And there are the remnants of what the locals call “Indian Dams”. These are from the distant past prior to the building of control dams. They are not all the way across the river but rather come out from shore and then curve upstream to what must have been a type of weir to trap fish. Simple piled rocks that still break the surface at lower tides.
Fishing- Striped Bass (ocean going) have now been caught this far inland along with Shad, Bass, and other species. The River is very healthy in spite of municipal street run off.
The river is shallow most of this reach but the bottom does become more manageable with sandy-silty clay like with no rocks. There are multiple reminders of the early industrial times when water power was king. Also, the Windsor Lock system is maintained as well, to show how transport of goods in the local area was accomplished. The region is now mostly known for a large regional airport (Bradley Field) and the one mainstay crop that has lasted for centuries-tobacco. Not just any kind of tobacco-it is the wrapper tobacco used worldwide for high quality cigars—this includes Cuban cigars. It seems the tobacco trade found a way to get annual harvests to Cuba by shipping elsewhere first. Where I live, it is a poorly kept secret. So much for a trade embargo.
Time in the water for the entire non-stop 10 miles was 3 hours-50 minutes. Current is likely to be about 1 + MPH. Some kayaks, canoes and a few small fishing boats all had difficulty with the shallow water. At full high tide it is only about 1 foot higher but still with a current. However, when factoring in the width of the river, and the “drop” that causes the drain or ebb tide, the combination lets you know who is in charge-so hang on for the ride!
Next, I will leave the State of CT by starting just above Springfield, MA and exiting above the breached dam at Thomasville, CT. Then work my way to Brattleboro, VT over a few weeks.