RIVER STUDIES

Last week it was lichen. This week, we went deeper.

There is a river not far from here that has had people living on its banks for 10,000 years. They left tools in the ground. They gave it a name that still holds. The water has not stopped moving since.

That is where we are starting today.

Tue — 78° / 58° · 🌤️ Partly cloudy
Wed — 77° / 58° · 🌥️ AM clouds, ☀️ PM sun
Thu — 78° / 57° · ☁️ Cloudy
Fri — 73° / 51° · ⛈️ PM thunderstorms
Sat — 70° / 51° · 🌤️ Partly cloudy
Sun — 61° / 34° · 🌧️ Showers
Mon — 46° / 28° · 🌤️ Partly cloudy

This week in River Studies, we're taking a look at the Shepaug River. I've always been fascinated by river systems, and Connecticut is blessed with many.

The Shepaug is fed by its East and West Branch tributaries above the Shepaug Reservoir, and by the Bantam River further downstream. Together they form the Shepaug proper, which eventually drops into the Housatonic at Lake Lillinonah. The Housatonic carries it the rest of the way to Long Island Sound.

A bit of history. Archaeological evidence suggests people were settling along the Shepaug as far back as 10,000 years ago, just after the last ice age. The oldest confirmed site, the Templeton Site in Washington, dates to roughly 10,190 years ago and is one of the earliest known Paleo-Indian sites in the Northeast. Stone tools recovered there were used to tip wooden spears. The river has barely stopped being inhabited since. A second site nearby, Kirby Brook, shows continuous occupation from the Terminal Archaic period all the way through first European contact. The name itself tells you something. Shepaug is a Native word meaning roughly "rocky waters," which you'd understand immediately if you've ever kayaked it.

The river has been a water source for much of western Connecticut for over a century. Back in 1917, the city of Waterbury built a seven-and-a-half-mile underground tunnel to divert Shepaug water into its reservoir system, eventually supplying not just Waterbury but the towns of Middlebury, Watertown, and Wolcott as well. The two sides cut a deal in 1921, and Waterbury agreed to keep a minimum flow in the river during the summer months. They didn't always hold up their end.

By the late 1990s, Waterbury had started selling excess Shepaug water to neighboring municipalities, and the river was running down to a trickle in summer, too low to support healthy aquatic life. Washington and Roxbury sued. In February 2000, a Superior Court judge sided with the river towns and ordered Waterbury to release more water. It was a landmark case for Connecticut water rights.

And the fishing shows it. When a river gets drained down to nothing every summer, the ecosystem collapses. Restored flow means restored habitat, and the Shepaug today is considered one of the few truly clean rivers in Connecticut. You can fish, swim, and bathe in it. The state stocks roughly 750 trout per year in the Roxbury section, and there is a designated fly-fishing-only stretch, a two-mile run through Roxbury along Route 67.

Fly fishing here is good, and the reason lies in the riverbed itself. The river is very rocky, providing ample habitat for stoneflies and crayfish, which are primary food sources for the trout that live here. Scientists from the Steep Rock Association have documented low-tolerance species like giant stoneflies and minnow mayflies in the river, which are reliable indicators of clean, unimpaired water. Locals fish nymphs on the bottom in the riffles and switch to dry flies when the afternoon hatches come off. Early April brings stoneflies, blue quills, caddisflies, and Hendricksons. Brown trout up to 20 inches have been pulled from the deeper pools. Things have gotten better!

We are coming up on summer in Connecticut, which is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, and that is reason enough to get out and visit the Shepaug, or any one of the many remarkable parks and preserves this state has to offer. This past week, I was out at Hidden Valley Preserve, one of my favorite trails in the area, and I just felt genuinely lucky to be here.

That feeling matters. These rivers belong to all of us, and it is on us as a community to look out for them. The water, the trout, the stoneflies, the herons working the shallows. The biodiversity that tells us whether we are doing right by the land. We cannot leave that stewardship to someone else. We have to know these places, learn their histories, understand their needs, and hold each other accountable for their health.

That starts with showing up. And it starts with knowing more.

Which is why this will be a continuing series. All summer long, here on the Litchfield Ledger, we are going to keep going. River by river, watershed by watershed. Welcome to River Studies.

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TWO (GET IT?)

CLICK HERE TO PULL UP A CHAIR

Dinner Club Two is almost here, and we are on pace to double the size of our second-ever gathering. Could not be more excited about this one!

We will have a great mix of inaugural members alongside a whole new group experiencing the Litchfield Ledger Dinner Club for the first time. After dinner, we will move on to drinks or coffee, your call, and walk away with some great photos and a handful of connections worth keeping.

If you have not signed up yet, now is the time. Registration is closing soon.

Last week, we asked whether lichen is considered part of the plant family. The answer is no. Lichen is actually a partnership between fungi and algae, which puts it in a category entirely its own.

Congrats to …..

Lorraina

Cynthia

Amy

This week's question, river-themed in honor of our new series, and please, no googling:

True or false: Rivers always flow south.

Reply to this email with your answer. Winners announced next week!

20% of all profits now go to supporting local land preserves in CT!

We’ve been searching for ways to turn all the attention the ledger has gotten lately into real benefits for local lands, and this is the first of lots of fun new merch dedicated to doing just that. Grab yourself a quality cap and support preservation at the same time.

PICK YOURS UP TODAY

Raven’s Bakehouse, New Milford – Step into a heartfelt evening with a live reading of “Belle and Her Missing Heart” by Daniel Angeles, blending storytelling, gentle reflection, and creative activities for all ages. Enjoy themed treats, coloring for kids, and a cozy atmosphere centered on healing, connection, and comfort. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM FEEL DEEPLY

The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville – Experience An Evening of Chamber Music featuring an internationally acclaimed lineup including Robert deMaine, Darko Brlek, and pianists Fabio Witkowski and Gisele Nacif Witkowski. Enjoy a dynamic program of works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Robert Schumann, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Astor Piazzolla in an evening of expressive, world-class performance. 7:00 PM SEE IT LIVE

Hollister House Garden, Washington – Celebrate Opening Day as this stunning English-style garden reopens for the season. Wander blooming pathways, soak in the beauty of spring, and be among the first to experience the garden’s return to life. 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM SPRING STARTS HERE
The Silo Cooking School, New Milford – Shake things up with The Tipsy Chef as Chef Dino Kolitsas blends craft cocktails with elevated pub-style bites and flavorful spreads. A fun, social night of sipping, tasting, and learning from a pro who knows how to entertain. 6:30 PM SIP SMART

Oliver Wolcott Library, Litchfield – Discover A Certain Quiet: A Portrait of the Northeast, a stunning photography exhibit by Jack Kearney capturing the subtle beauty of New England’s landscapes. Meet the artist at the opening reception and experience a collection that invites you to slow down and truly see. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM SEE STILLNESS

Kent Memorial Library, Kent – Meet new people and have some fun at Third Thursdays Young Locals Game Night, a relaxed evening of games, refreshments, and connection for ages 21+. Perfect if you’re new to the area or just looking to expand your circle. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM MEET PEOPLE

Hawk Ridge Winery, Watertown – Create your own glowing cherry blossom lantern in this relaxing, step-by-step paint workshop with Annie’s Art Party. Sip wine, unwind with friends, and design a beautiful illuminated piece perfect for spring décor—no experience needed. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PAINT & SIP

Star Party, White Memorial - Organized by the Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club. The talk will be given whether it's clear or cloudy. Weather permitting, there will be stargazing at the observatory after the program. 8 PM GAZE

Woodbury Brewing Company, Woodbury – Get ready for a high-energy night with Halen – Van Halen Tribute, bringing the iconic sound and electric stage presence of Van Halen to life. Grab your crew, reserve a table, and enjoy craft brews while rocking out all night. 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM TURN UP

Meadowbrook Gardens, New Milford – Celebrate spring at this lively Spring Fest featuring food, beer & wine trucks, live music, craft vendors, and fun kids’ activities. Meet adorable baby goats and alpacas while browsing the seasonal plant sale—perfect for a full day out with family and friends. 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM SPRING VIBES

Village Center for the Arts, New Milford – Grab your friends for Women, Wine, & Wheel, a fun and creative pottery night where laughter, wine, and hands-on art come together. Learn the pottery wheel, shape your own piece, and enjoy a relaxed, social atmosphere while making something you’ll actually take home. 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM SIP & SPIN

Housatonic River Brewing, New Milford – Catch The Outcrops live, bringing raw, blues-infused rock straight from New Jersey with gritty vocals and electric guitar energy. Grab a drink, feel the rhythm, and enjoy a laid-back night of original live music. 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM LIVE LOUD

South Kent School, South Kent – Bring the family for Youth Community Day, a fun-filled morning of hands-on activities, campus tours, and interactive experiences designed for K–5 students. Explore STEM experiments, sports clinics, digital arts, and more while meeting students and faculty and getting a feel for life on the Hillside. 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM FUN DAY

Rose Meadow Stables, Harwinton – Experience the elegance of the Harwinton Lions Club Horse Show featuring English and Western Dressage, where riders and horses showcase skill, precision, and graceful movement. Enjoy a full day of competition, plus food and local vendors, all supporting community charities. 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM HORSE POWER

MUGS aka My Unique Gathering Spot, Litchfield – Ease into your morning with live jazz from a talented trio channeling legends like Count Basie and Oscar Peterson. Enjoy coffee, tea, and a cozy atmosphere with two intimate sessions and limited seating. 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM JAZZ VIBES

White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield – Bring the kids for a full week of outdoor discovery during Museum Children Free Week, where children under 12 get free admission with an adult. Explore nature exhibits, trails, and hands-on learning experiences perfect for spring break adventures. 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM KIDS FREE

Gunn Memorial Library, Washington – Catch a powerful Oscar-winning film at this Movie Matinee featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. Follow a gripping story of a former revolutionary forced to confront his past when his daughter goes missing. 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM WATCH THIS

The Litchfield Ledger is free, independent, and community-run.
If you’re able to chip in, your support keeps it going—and keeps local stories alive.
Thank you,
Patrick

See you soon! - Patrick