About The Farmington River

The FRWA is committed to providing extensive information about the Farmington River, including the towns it runs through, its riverflows and forecasts, safety, river facts, and recreational maps.

Explore The Watershed

There are 33 towns in the Farmington River Watershed covering 609 square miles of land in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Decisions are made in each town that affect the health of the watershed every day. Visit your town’s website to learn more about its interests and activities to protect natural resources locally.

Watershed Towns, Connecticut

Watershed Towns, Massachusetts

Wild & Scenic Classification

The Farmington River is among the first “Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers” with the original designation on the Upper River in 1994. Protection comes from federal, state and local town governments and other organizations with a vested interest in the health of the river. Today, 78.6 miles of the Farmington River are protected through 2 different designations: The Upper Farmington River boasts a 15.1 mile designation and the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook protects 61.7 miles.

To be considered “Wild and Scenic” a river must have at least one “outstandingly remarkable” natural, cultural or recreational value pursuant to the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

Understanding the Riverflows

Without adequate flows, the Farmington River would cease to exist as a cultural, natural, recreational, and aesthetic resource for fish, wildlife, and people. Understanding the River’s flows provides essential answers to key questions such as: “Is it safe to go fishing?”, “Is it a good day for whitewater kayaking?” or “Is there likely to be flooding in my area?”.

Farmington River at Tariffville, CT

41.90828, -72.75936, Hartford County, Hydrologic Unit 01080207, on right bank at Tariffville, behind house at 20 Tunxis Road, 0.3 mi downstream from bridge on State Route 189 and 5.5 mi upstream from gage at Rainbow.

Farmington River at Unionville, CT

41.75555, -72.88704, Hartford County, Hydrologic Unit 01080207, at right bank upstream of steel truss highway bridge on State Route 177 at Unionville, 4.1 mi downstream from Burlington Brook and 3.0 mi upstream from Pequabuck River.

Burlington Brook near Burlington, CT

41.78611, -72.96529, Hartford County, Hydrologic Unit 01080207, on left bank 1.2 mi north of Burlington, 3 mi upstream from mouth, 2,000 feet east of the intersection of Covey Road on Hotchkiss Road, and 3 mi southwest of Collinsville.

Still River at Robertsville Road, CT

41.96792, -73.03344, Litchfield County, Hydrologic Unit 01080207, on left bank 1,500 ft downstream from Sandy Brook, 1 mi southeast of Robertsville, 1 mi northwest of Riverton, and 1 mi upstream from mouth.

West Branch Farmington River at Riverton, CT

41.96278, -73.0186, Litchfield County, Hydrologic Unit 01080207, on right bank at downstream side of bridge on State Route 20 at Riverton, 0.3 mi upstream from Still River, 2.0 mi downstream from Goodwin Dam of West Branch Reservoir, and at mile 55.

West Branch Farmington River at New Boston, MA

42.07886, -73.07288, Berkshire County, Hydrologic Unit 01080207, on left bank 5 ft downstream from highway bridge, 0.3 mi downstream from Clam River, 1 mi south of New Boston, and at mile 65.0.