Shepaug River, April Fools Day
by Bob Rancan
April 1, 2023
Perfect water level for an early spring run on the lower Shepaug: 126-141cfs coming off Peter's Dam upriver over the course of the day. Odd forecast: temperatures rising into the mid-sixties but overnight rain lingering into the morning followed by afternoon showers and then high winds and thunderstorms. The next day the temps were to drop back into the forties.
On my 70 mile dirve to Roxbury on the warm morning I encountered that annoying mist and drizzle...the kind where the wiper setting has to keep being adjusted. Upon reaching the take-out meeting place, it started to rain, interfering with the changing of clothes and loading of boats. Rained steadily on the drive to the Bee Brook launch site. Then, as if by magic, the rain stopped as everyone got underway. A nice, warm day to paddle! The warm air met the cold river and about 6 feet of fog hugged the surface...a beautiful effect. Then, the sun even came out! As predicted, it did get a little windy fro the last mile or two of the journey and later, while stopping a a diner, the T-storms did come.
Thanks to Paul D. for combining his trip with ours and the 13 CT AMC white water paddlers were a great group to spend the day with. Thanks also to Guy H., Phil M, F. Chu and Surasit N. for joining me. And lest I forget, the many, many breeding pairs of comon mergansers, the belted kingfishers and my first phoebes of the spring helped make the day even more special.
Bob