East Windsor American Heritage River Commission Annual Report

The responsibilities of the River Commission include promoting awareness and appreciation of the Connecticut River and its tributaries, particularly the Scantic River which is both a historical and recreational resource for the residents of the Town of East Windsor. And more and more people are using the river and trails, which is our ultimate goal.

Our Third Annual New Year’s Day hike, the second in the Scantic River State Park, had 150 participants. The AHRC participated in the Community Day Parade, and Taste of East Windsor. We sponsored a guided boat trip as part of CT Water Trails Day and a CT Trail Day hike in the East Windsor section of the Scantic River State Park. These park trails cover almost 4 miles and contain volunteer-built heavy-duty bridges and mud walks. Because of June’s excessive rains and high water, much of the state park mudwalks and bridges were washed into the woods. Some of the walks have been restored and one bridge has now been relocated back onto the walkway.

The Commission’s second cardboard boat race had to be postponed into July due to high water conditions. Though the rains had stopped for the scheduled date, the need for the participants to be safe in their river activities made the delay necessary. During fiscal year 2012-2013, the Commission continued its mission of keeping the Scantic River passable for canoeing and kayaking. The waterway, which has been opened from the Enfield line to Omelia Road, required constant clearing due to the high waters bringing debris downstream after numerous rainfalls. The five river-activity parking lots are mowed at least twice monthly.

The removal of trash from the banks of the Connecticut River and the banks and waters of the Scantic River continues as the Commission members and other volunteers take part in the CT Source to the Sea clean-up each year. Water quality testing is now done every month at 10 locations here in town; and the volunteers of a similar group in South Windsor have been trained to do the same testing in their town. This ensures the safety of the participants of river activities.

The Commission meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Warehouse Point Library, at 7 P.M. Meetings are open to the public and all are welcome.

The American Heritage River Commission has full membership of 11 with 4 alternates. There is a list of over 50 volunteers willing to do projects alongside the commission members. The number of volunteer hours on the trails and river this year, exceeded 667 hours. Every project is open to volunteer participation.

Respectfully submitted,
Richard U. Sherman, Chairman