The Farmington is often run during the autumn drawdown of Otis Reservoir.
ChuckB, on the Northeast Paddlers' Massage Board, says:
"The third section would be from the American Legion down to Bear's Den rapid. This is mostly class II with Bear's Den probably being an easy III.
"Each of the sections (
Bear's Den Section,
New Boston Section, and
Upper New Boston) is a couple/few miles long and any one or two or three of them can be run together. Those three harder spots are pretty cool, especially one that has a four-foot drop 'cause you can watch your probe disappear for a moment before reappearing behind the horizon line (unless you _are_ the probe). This is a great river to work on your eddy-hopping and boat-scouting skills. Keep an eye out for strainers as the narrowness of the river could easily make a strainer impassable. There is not much in the way of play on this river, but idiots like me still try as evidenced by the scratches on my helmet and the gouges in my boat. The release level is really boney so pray for some rain to supplement it."
The Farmington releases come down out of Otis Reservoir. If you're looking for a bit of steep Class-V fun, check out
Fall River.
Check out the river description at the
Farmington River Watershed Association website.
Directions from the center of New Boston, about 1/4 mile north of the putin for this section: For the putin, travel 1/4 of a mile south on MA Rte. 8. Turn right into the American Legion riverside park The takeout is approximately 3 miles south of town on MA Rte. 8.