The Coginchaug River in Connecticut, with a watershed including 39 sq mi of forests, pastures, farmland, industrial, and commercial areas, is the main tributary of the Mattabesset River. It is 16.1 mi long, and the river flows northwards from a point approximately 1.8 mi south of the Durham line in Guilford, Connecticut, into Durham and then Middlefield, meeting the Mattabesset in Middletown,[1] about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) upstream[2] of the Connecticut River. The name "Coginchaug" comes from a local Native American name for the Durham area and it was the original name for the town. It has been said to mean "The Great Swamp."
The river has become a popular canoeing route. In 2006, it was considered[3] safe for canoeing, though it is not safe for in-water activities like swimming[verification needed]. Flowing from Myer Huber Pond, it runs slowly through thick swamps which stretch over 3 miles (5 km) and are likely to be impassable except immediately after heavy rains.[verification needed] The main paddling route starts at Route 147 and continues downstream, north, through additional slow-moving waters and a swamp. There are many[vague]portages, including those at six dams and at Wadsworth Falls, the only major waterfall. Class IIwhitewater is possible before it flows into the tidal marsh of the Mattabesset River.
^ ab
Griffin, Keith (April 25, 2007). "Monitoring the Coginchaug River for a better future". Middlesex County Advertising Supplement. The Hartford Courant. p. 9.
