Our Mission

 

TO PROMOTE THE USE AND APPRECIATION OF CONNECTICUT’S RECREATIONAL WATERWAYS THROUGH:

 

 

·              Collaborating with existing local and regional groups such as river and watershed groups, businesses and outfitters, Connecticut DEP, regional agencies, towns and cities, clubs and interested individuals.

 

·              Publicizing existing trails by providing a center for current guidebooks, maps and other relevant information as well as providing statewide website information.

 

·              Helping in the development of new trails by arranging for assistance from local, state and national agencies and private organizations.

 

·              Promoting responsible stewardship of our waterways by providing conferences and educational material and supporting activity days and events.

 

·              Fostering connections to communities by demonstrating that healthy waterways provide economic value to towns, cities and local businesses.

 

·              Advocating boating safety by supporting safety initiatives and disseminating safety information and material.

 

 

WHAT IS A WATER TRAIL? 

 

The American Canoe Association  (ACA) defines a water trail as meeting the following five requirements:

1.The trail must be a contiguous or semi-contiguous waterway or series of waterways that is open to recreational use by paddlers.

2.The trail must have public access points for paddlers.

3.The trail must be covered by a map, guide, signage or a web site that is of reasonable quality and detail and available to the public.

4.Published or printed materials for the trail (e.g. guidebook, map, sign, website) must communicate low-impact ethics to trail users.

5.The trail must be supported and/or managed by one or more organizations.

 

 

The Rivers Alliance of Connecticut in partnership with the American Canoe Association, the National Park Service, American Rivers, the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection is committed to helping existing water trails and trails yet to be to fulfill the American Canoe Associations water trail requirements. Trails meeting the requirements are shown with the symbol .  Trails meeting those requirements are also eligible to receive the coveted ACA - Recommended Water Trail designation. There are, however, many other trails, paddling destinations, paddling loops and recreation opportunities on Connecticut’s many rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. As information on these places is developed, we will add them to our database.

 

Know of a water trail not listed in our database? Send us an email and tell us the name of the trail, where it is located, the website address, and who to contact for more information.