John (Jay) Cronan River Access

41º26'42.43" N    71º40'52.39" W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

This is a site for launching hand-carried boats and it is also a portage. This typically means that to continue paddling down the river past this site you will have to portage your boat around a dam or other obstruction.

Comments & Overview:

This is a good access point for paddling on the upper Pawcatuck River above the confluence with the Wood River. If you have reached this site from upstream and plan to continue on down the river from here, it is advisable to portage around the low dam (actually a weir for the USGS Gauging Station). This is a short, easy portage.

The Pawcatuck River in this area is relatively wild, with only occasional houses and bridges. The river is mostly quiet and relatively slow-moving. There are likely to be a fair number of trees down across the river, but the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association tries to maintain the route and at least provide a narrow passage past any downed trees that go across the river, so except in the case of newly fallen trees you should not have to get out and lift your boat over or around trees, but you may have to worm through some fairly narrow slots to get around downed trees. The Wood-Pawcatuck River Guide is highly recommended for paddling on the Wood-Pawcatuck river system.

This site provides access to the following water bodies in the Pawcatuck River watershed: Pawcatuck River.

Location:

Alternate Site Name: Richmond Landing

Town: Charlestown

Driving Landmarks: On Route 91 (Alton-Carolina Road) between Carolina and Wood River Junction, look for signs for this DEM fishing access site on the south side of the road, next to a bridge across the Wood River

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: dam, flatwater/slow moving river

Note: Because one boat launch can access, say, both a lake and a river or both the upstream and downstream portions of a river, not all paddling trips at a given site will necessarily encounter all of the features listed.

Type of Access: Boat launch for hand carried boats

ADA Accessible Boat Launch? no

Shoreline: The shoreline both above and below the dam is low and sandy so access is very easy.

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 25 feet

Portage Length: 75 feet

Hours of Operation: Closed from 1/2 hr. after sunset to 5 am, except for fishing and boating

Parking:

Parking: parking lot, 15 spaces

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? no

Nearby Amenities:

Public Restrooms: No

Sources for More Information:

AMC River Guide: 4th Edition, page 141

Other Guidebooks: Paddle 26 in "Paddling Connecticut and Rhode Island"

Website: How to order the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association's River Guide

Website: The USGS Gauging Station at this site is online and provides near real-time data on the river level

Ecological, Cultural & Recreational Attractions:

The Pawcatuck River is stocked with Salmon and Trout.

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