Paddle Report

Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River river run

Connecticut, USA Bantam River 5.0 mi long
Today high
--
Tonight low
--
Current flow
--
% of normal
35%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
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Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To  The Confluence With The Shepaug River -- Connecticut paddle run
Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River Connecticut · Bantam River
About this run

Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River

The Whitewater River Run is a popular destination for kayakers and rafters in Connecticut. The ideal streamflow range for this section of the river is between 200-400 cubic feet per second (cfs), which typically occurs in the spring and early summer months. The class rating for this section of the river ranges from II to III, with several rapids and obstacles along the way.

The segment mileage for the Whitewater River Run is approximately 5 miles, beginning downstream of the Borough of Bantam at the Stoddard Road Bridge and ending at the confluence with the Shepaug River. Some noteworthy rapids include the "Washing Machine," "Zoom Flume," and "Pencil Sharpener." There are also several smaller rapids and wave trains throughout the run.

There are specific regulations for the Whitewater River Run, including a permit requirement for commercial outfitters and a prohibition on alcohol and glass containers. Additionally, all participants must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and helmets are recommended. It is important to note that water levels can fluctuate rapidly and unexpectedly, so it is recommended to check local conditions before embarking on a trip.

StateConnecticut
RiverBantam River
Run length5.0 mi
Elevation771 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal35%
StreamgageUSGS 01202501
Latitude41.7120°
Longitude-73.2460°
Detailed forecast

Plan your run down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.

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Regional flow

Regional streamflow levels

USGS streamgauges around Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.

Whitewater safety

Check the flow before you run
Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
Know your skill ceiling
Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
Wear the right gear
Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
Scout, set safety, and run with a team
Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
Respect the river
Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.

FAQ

About Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River

What's the optimal flow for Begins Downstream Of The Borough Of Bantam, At Stoddard Road Bridge To The Confluence With The Shepaug River?

The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.

How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?

The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.

What's the whitewater class?

See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.

Where do I put in / take out?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.

Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?

Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.