Housatonic River
🏔 Scenic River
Litchfield Co. · 139 mi · Class I–III
1,370CFS/ 3.68 ft
Optimal
→Stable
Optimal: 400–2000 CFS · USGS #01199000
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
139 mi
Length
Class I–III
Difficulty
400–2000 cfs
Optimal
2,200 cfs
Avg Flow
1,980 cfs
Hist. Median
#01199000
USGS Gauge
Bull's Bridge Recreation Area · Appalachian Trail corridor · Connecticut Scenic River

Western Connecticut's premier paddling river. The Housatonic flows through the Litchfield Hills with Class I–III rapids, covered bridges, and the dramatic Bull's Bridge gorge — one of New England's most iconic whitewater runs. The upper river in Massachusetts is flat and pastoral; the Connecticut sections deliver the action.

Trip sections
Bull's Bridge Gorge — Class III, signature whitewater
Kent to Cornwall Bridge — Class I–II, covered bridge country
Outfitters
Clarke Outdoors
Housatonic canoe and kayak since 1978, West Cornwall
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.