Wild & Scenic Deerfield River
Over the next few months, we will work with the Wild & Scenic Deerfield River steering committee, made up of representatives invited from all of the towns in the watershed and other strategic partners. For this process, for the Deerfield River and its major tributaries, we will document:
Recreational values (e.g., canoeing, fishing, trails)
Aesthetic and scenic values
Geological and surficial geological values (e.g., waterfalls and gorges)
Natural resource values (e.g., water quality and wildlife habitat)
Issues and problems
Stewardship needs
We know that the Deerfield River and its tributaries have many “Outstanding Remarkable Values.”
Together, lets document the potential of the U.S. Congress designating it the Wild & Scenic Deerfield River.
Thanks to the Massachusetts Woodlands Partnership and the National Partnership funding this study.
Click here to open a fact sheet for the Deerfield River Wild and Scenic Designation
Click here to open an overview presentation of the Deerfield River Wild & Scenic Initiative
Click here for the proposed Wild and Scenic River Study Legislation (Spring 2022)
The Deerfield River is an outstanding resource for many reasons. With rapids from Class II-V, it offers perhaps the best whitewater boating and rafting in Massachusetts. It is also an excellent trout fishery, with some of the best dry-fly fishing for wild trout in the East. The historically significant Mohawk Trail ran along the river and was a principal Native American travel route. There are beautiful hiking trails along many rivers segments and tributaries. Several tributaries, such as Cold River and Bog and Gulf Brooks, are wild free-flowing rivers. Multiple segments of the Deerfield River were identified on the National Rivers Inventory as having “outstandingly remarkable” values, and eligible for National Wild and Scenic Rivers designation.
Wild and Scenic designation could bring significant benefits to the river and the region, most notably federal grant funds for community based projects to help enhance and protect the river. Designation would protect the remaining free-flowing segments of the river from federally-permitted dams and water resources projects.
The first step in this process will be to seek federal funds for a feasibility study, to determine which segments of the river are eligible and feasible for designation, and if they are locally desirable to become designated.
Several other rivers in Massachusetts have previously received National Wild and Scenic River designation, most notably the nearby Westfield River. These rivers receive significant amounts of federal funding annually to help with river protection and enhancement projects.
Upper Deerfield River at sunset
Kayakers putting in at Bardwell’s Ferry Bridge
The DRWA has been engaged in an a watershed-wide campaign of public outreach to communities, organizations, agencies and businesses to inform, educate and seek support for our Wild and Scenic Rivers initiative. DRWA has contacted every community in the Deerfield River watershed, and has secured letters of support this initiative from 18 communities in the watershed (11 in Massachusetts and 7 in Vermont). DRWA has also secured letters of support from 12 organizations, agencies and businesses. These supporting groups are listed below.
DRWA has also reached out to members of Congress to seek support for this initiative, and has secured the support of Senators Markey, Warren, Welch and Sanders and Representatives McGovern, Neal and Balint. A Deerfield River study bill was filed in Congress last year and again this year, with Senator Markey and Representative McGovern taking the lead. The bill is making its way through Congress.
Summary of Deerfield River Wild and Scenic letters of support received to date:
Vermont Towns (7): Dover, Guilford, Halifax, Marlboro, Stratton, Whitingham, Wilmington
Massachusetts Towns (11): Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Greenfield, Monroe, Rowe, Savoy, Shelburne
Note: To date, there are no communities that have expressed opposition to this initiative.
Organizations and Agencies (11):
Windham Regional Commission
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
Vermont Natural Resources Council
Green River Watershed Association
Connecticut River Conservancy
Trout Unlimited, Deerfield River Chapter
Trout Unlimited, Connecticut River Valley Chapter
Deerfield River Watershed Association
Elnu Abenaki Tribe
Franklin Regional Council of Governments
Vermont Agency for Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation
Businesses:
Crabapple Whitewater Rafting