The views from the West Thompson Dam in northeastern Connecticut can be sublime. Sunsets can leave their shimmery reflection on the waters of the 200-acre lake. Gorgeous yellows, oranges, and greens decorate the trees around the lake in the fall. In the winter, snow covered fields and windswept ice are just as breathtaking. And in the spring, when the birds return and the leaves start to unfold in the mixed forest, the sight is breathtakingly hopeful.
The 70-foot tall, 2,550-foot long dam is at the southern edge of the West Thompson Lake Recreation Area, a 1,857 acre preserve in Connecticut’s northeastern-most town. Webster, Mass. lies just north over the border. To the east is Burrillville, R.I.
Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the land boasts a wide range of recreational opportunities. The park is open year round. Camping, fishing and hunting are permitted in season. An 18-hole disc golf course lies on the southeastern edge of the park. Paddlers can enjoy the open space of the lake, with its nooks and crannies, or travel the 5-mile Quinebaug River Trail from the boat launch in Fabyan to West Thompson Lake. Picnic shelters are available, though large groups often rent them out on weekends.
Beneath the waters of the lake lie what used to be the village of West Thompson. The land was taken by eminent domain when the USACE built the dam for flood control purposes in 1962. The setting of the lone hold-out, Alice Ramsdell, lies on the property. The site of her farm now lies on the Ramsdell Woods Trail, a popular one for hikers.
The lake is relatively shallow, the deepest water follows the channel carved out by the Quinebaug River. Swimming is prohibited here, but the waters provide opportunities for fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
A 24-site campground offers 11 sites with water and electrical hookups. Thirteen basic sites, two with Adirondack shelters, round out the offerings. There are hiking trails, a basketball court, a children’s play area, an amphitheater, horseshoe pits, handicapped accessible comfort stations and hot showers in the campground. Reservations can be made online using a national reservation service at http://www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Costs range from $15 for a basic site, $20 for lean-to and $30 for an RV site.
Jason Southwick designed the 18-hole disc course here in 2001. The 5,895-foot course offers 10 holes under 300 feet, three holes between 300 and 400 feet, and five holes over 400 feet. According to Steve Dakai, a New England tournament organizer, the course is challenging for top tier players with its breezes off the lake. “It’s a gem that forces a player to use every disc in his bag,” Dakai said.
But the course is great for players of all ages and skill levels according to Park Ranger Edward Greenough. Concrete tees and holes that take players through forest and grassland with views of the lake add to the fun. Scorecards with a map of the course are available.
There is a color-coded trail system at West Thompson Lake. The Shoreline Trail used to provide hikers with a 4.2 mile loop around the lake. However, a bridge crossing a section of the river just north of the lake was removed. A 14-mile loop brings hikers along one section of the lake, north along the Quinebaug River, crossing at Fabyan, then back down on the other side of the river and lake.
There are short hikes as well. “There are lots of opportunities,” said USACE Ranger Edward Greenough, “from short, easy walking paths to some longer, moderate trails off of the main ones.” The area is popular with dog walkers and mountain bikers as well. Trail maps can be picked up at the Ranger station on Reardon Road.
Hunting and fishing is allowed. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection stocks the Quinebaug River with brook, brown and rainbow trout in the spring. An inland fishing license is required for anyone 16 or older. In the fall, DEEP stocks pheasants on fields west of the lake and along the Quinebaug River. Deer hunting begins in mid-September and runs through Dec. 31. State regulations are enforced.
The Quinebaug River Water Trail begins at the boat launch off Fabyan Road in Thompson, about five miles north of the lake. This section of river is a National Recreation Trail and affords paddlers three hours of gorgeous scenery, a chance to see wildlife up close, and moving water that makes paddling a little easier. The USACE and the Thompson Trails Committee maintain the water tail.
Paddlers are encouraged to check the river’s flow levels before heading out. Flow levels can be low in mid-summer, requiring paddlers to walk their boats over shallow areas. Flow levels will rise after heavy rain storms. Check http://nae-rrs2.usace.army.mil:7777/pls/cwmsweb/cwms_web.cwmsweb.cwmsindex. A chart provides the date, time, pool depth and inflow and outflow amounts in cubic feet per second. Ranger Cathy De Andrade suggests paddlers not take the river unless inflow is at least 250 CFS. Paddlers are urged to call the ranger station at 860-923-2982 with questions.
Summer nature programs are scheduled at the campground amphitheater during the summer. All programs are weather dependent and posted on Facebook by Thursday evenings. Walking tours are scheduled during October in combination with The Last Green Valley’s Walktober campaign. Dam tours will be held throughout the summer in celebration of the dam’s 50th anniversary.
The USACE Park Ranger office is located at 449 Reardon Road, North Grosvernordale, CT. For more information call 860-923-2982, or visit https://www.facebook.com/WestThompsonLake or http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/WestThompsonLake.aspx
