Hockanum River
Encyclopedia
The Hockanum River is a river in Connecticut
. The Hockanum neighborhood in East Hartford
is named after it.
It rises at the outlet of Shenipsit Lake
in Rockville
, then flows through Vernon
, Manchester
, and East Hartford. Its mouth on the Connecticut River
is immediately north of the Charter Oak Bridge
and south of and across from the mouth of the Park River
.
The Hockanum River runs for about 22.6 miles (36.4 km) until it spills into the Connecticut River. There is a popular paddling route that follows the river for 13 miles (20.9 km). It begins at the bridge at Pleasant View Drive, one mile west of Vernon Center, and continues to the Connecticut River. This river run is mostly quickwater with one Class II whitewater
area that eventually fades to flatwater and tidal water at its mouth at the Connecticut River.
Historically used for industry, the river has in recent years had hiking trails and linear parks developed along its banks. The banks of the river are slowly being cleaned up after years of pollution and dumping.
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. The Hockanum neighborhood in East Hartford
East Hartford, Connecticut
East Hartford is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 51,252 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
is named after it.
It rises at the outlet of Shenipsit Lake
Shenipsit Lake
Shenipsit Lake , known locally as "The Snip", is a natural lake used as a water storage facility with a water size of located in Tolland County, Connecticut, bordering the towns of Ellington, Tolland and the Rockville section of Vernon, Connecticut, at...
in Rockville
Rockville, Connecticut
Rockville is a census-designated place and a village of the town of Vernon in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,708 at the 2000 census...
, then flows through Vernon
Vernon, Connecticut
Vernon is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 29,179 at the 2010 census.Vernon was incorporated in October, 1808, from Bolton. Vernon contains the former city of Rockville, incorporated in January, 1889. The town of Vernon and city of Rockville consolidated as a...
, Manchester
Manchester, Connecticut
Manchester is a township and city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 58,241.- History :...
, and East Hartford. Its mouth on the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
is immediately north of the Charter Oak Bridge
Charter Oak Bridge
The Charter Oak Bridge is one of the three highway bridges over the Connecticut River in Hartford, Connecticut. The twin steel stringer bridge carries the Route 15 and U.S. Route 5...
and south of and across from the mouth of the Park River
Park River (Connecticut)
The Park River, sometimes called the Hog River, is a subterranean urban river that flows through and under the city of Hartford, Connecticut. It was diverted underground by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1940. The stated reason for this was to reduce the risk of spring seasonal floods which had...
.
The Hockanum River runs for about 22.6 miles (36.4 km) until it spills into the Connecticut River. There is a popular paddling route that follows the river for 13 miles (20.9 km). It begins at the bridge at Pleasant View Drive, one mile west of Vernon Center, and continues to the Connecticut River. This river run is mostly quickwater with one Class II whitewater
Whitewater
Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river's gradient increases enough to disturb its laminar flow and create turbulence, i.e. form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current; the frothy water appears white...
area that eventually fades to flatwater and tidal water at its mouth at the Connecticut River.
Historically used for industry, the river has in recent years had hiking trails and linear parks developed along its banks. The banks of the river are slowly being cleaned up after years of pollution and dumping.
External links
- Connecticut Explorer's Guide Online paddling map of the Hockanum River