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Launch area below Vernon Vermont Dam

So it seems I'm not the only one who chose to skip work and spend the day out on the water. Son-in-law Dave, and I got an early start and arrived below the Connecticut River Dam in Vernon, VT at 9:00. We spent the day paddling with the wind and current at our backs and traveled the 22 miles to the next dam at Turners Falls, MA. The weather was excellent with the fog dissipating as we traveled. The sky cleared to a bright blue with a few stray clouds to add depth. The river had provided enough warmth to retard the turning of the foliage and most of the riverbank was still in prime colors. Over the past 30 years I have traveled and fished this section of the river, but this is the first time I have done the complete stretch by kayak in a single day. One thing I noticed is the fact that the river has become cleaner as the years passed. It was so pleasant to be able to see the bottom easily at full paddle depth. The shorelines that used to be muddy now are covered in fine dark sand. It makes a quick stop or a long lunch a pleasure. Traveling midweek and this late in the season left the river pretty empty. We encountered a total of 3 powerboats and only one of them passed the area we were in. It is a totally different environment than during the summer boating season. For anyone interested there is an easy put in under the power dam at Vernon on Rte #142 with place to leave cars in easy sight of the street. Turners Falls is a state boat ramp with lots of parking. We went with 2 cars, 2 boats and 2 racks so we could run our own shuttle. I understand that the power company runs a shuttle between Memorial and Labor day. There aren't any real surprises to encounter along this stretch. The current was several knots for the first quarter mile below the dam but slowed down to less than a knot for most of the rest of the trip. Water is dumped from the Vernon dam to run the turbines as needed for power production. Water is also pumped to the top of a mountain at the 15 mile point. It is dumped back down through a generator as the need arises. Lastly water is dumped through turbines at the Turners Falls Dam as power is needed. These events can speed up, stop, or reverse the river flow in some sections. None of these effects is drastic, but if you are counting on a knot to help you for five miles it can be a surprise to find yourself fighting a half knot for the same distance. All in all an excellent trip. Sure better than a day at work.