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See all 8 routes on Deerfield River

Massachusetts | Franklin County / western Massachusetts

Deerfield RiverWilcox Hollow to Stillwater Bridge (#2 Dam Section)

An eight-mile Class I–II Deerfield reach from Wilcox Hollow through the documented No. 2 station portage to Stillwater Bridge.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 8 river miles plus one mandatory dam portage
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow 4–7 hours with the portage
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Deerfield River winds through a forested valley in western Massachusetts.
River contextDeerfield River valley near Charlemont; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

Why this call
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 8 river miles plus one mandatory dam portageWilcox Hollow to Stillwater Bridge (#2 Dam Section)
DifficultymoderateAmerican Whitewater rates the section Class I–II, with a strong Class II No. 2 Station rapid and a mandatory portage around the dam.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at Stillwater Bridge, then drive to Wilcox Hollow. Allow daylight and extra time for the No. 2 Station portage.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm current town, utility and access rules. The documented portage does not authorize entry onto restricted facility property.
CampingDay tripNo overnight camping is included. Use separately permitted campgrounds or lodging; do not camp at access points, portage areas or private banks.
SeasonApr-NovSpring and rain events raise the unregulated lower reach. Check the direct West Deerfield gauge, trend and weather before committing.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A direct-gauge lower Deerfield day run with a documented public access chain and mandatory No. 2 Station portage.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Wilcox Hollow public access (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to put-in

Wilcox Hollow and Stillwater Bridge are mapped public access anchors; inspect the actual water-entry edge.

Finish

Take-out

Stillwater Bridge public access (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to take-out

The No. 2 Station portage is mandatory and includes a steep, uneven carry; do not enter the power facility.

Road shuttle

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Access planner

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On-water distance8.0 miMixed access
On-water timeAllow 4–7 hours with the portageFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Wilcox Hollow public access (water-entry edge) to Stillwater Bridge public access (water-entry edge) is about 8.0 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Wilcox Hollow and Stillwater Bridge are mapped public access anchors; inspect the actual water-entry edge.
  • The No. 2 Station portage is mandatory and includes a steep, uneven carry; do not enter the power facility.
  • The river corridor includes railroad and private property; remain on lawful access paths.

Watch for

  • USGS 01170000 trend and 400 cfs low-runnable threshold
  • No. 2 Station dam, ropes and portage
  • Waterfalls, Class II waves, strainers and cold water

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

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Route gallery

Photos

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The Deerfield River winds through a forested valley in western Massachusetts.
Deerfield River valley near Charlemont; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor
CC BY-SA 4.0

Score & sources

Why this score

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Data status
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteDeerfield River near West Deerfield, MA
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range400 cfs to 20,000 cfs
Low threshold400 cfs
High threshold20,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreAmerican Whitewater Wilcox Hollow to Stillwater Bridge reach
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Rainfall sourceChecking
NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Reach and accessWilcox Hollow to Stillwater Bridge; 8 miles

    American Whitewater documents the reach, public endpoints, Class I–II character and the No. 2 Station portage boundary.

    Source

  • Numeric scoring evidence400 cfs low-runnable; 20,000 cfs end-high-runnable

    American Whitewater’s live reach correlation publishes these bounds for USGS 01170000. Treat them as screening thresholds and verify local conditions.

    Source

  • Direct telemetryUSGS 01170000 near West Deerfield

    The direct gauge named by American Whitewater supplies the configured flow series for the lower Deerfield reach.

    Source

  • Dam portageNo. 2 Station mandatory land portage

    The published reach description requires a take-out before the facility and an approximately 800-foot portage before relaunching.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Massachusetts

All 32 routes
Massachusetts route guideBrowse every tracked Massachusetts route.Franklin County / western MassachusettsJump to routes in this region.

More on Deerfield River

All 8
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Nearby routes within 75 miles

Connecticut RiverGatehouse Fishway / Discovery Center carry to Poplar Street access · about 9 straight-line mi awayHard · About 3.3 river milesMillers RiverErving Riverfront Park to Millers Falls Riverfront Public Access · about 17 straight-line mi awayHard · About 6.3 river milesMillers RiverSouth Main Street Dam portage put-in to Arch Street Bridge, Erving · about 21 straight-line mi awayHard · About 5.5 river milesHoosic RiverAshton Avenue Canoe Access to Lauren’s Launch · about 24 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 3.4 river miles

Quick answers

Deerfield River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Wilcox Hollow to Stillwater Bridge (#2 Dam Section) route on the Deerfield River?

Paddle Today watches Deerfield River near West Deerfield, MA and treats 400 cfs to 20,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Wilcox Hollow to Stillwater Bridge (#2 Dam Section) route on the Deerfield River start and end?

This route starts at Wilcox Hollow public access (water-entry edge) and ends at Stillwater Bridge public access (water-entry edge), about 8 river miles plus one mandatory dam portage on the water.

Is the Wilcox Hollow to Stillwater Bridge (#2 Dam Section) route on the Deerfield River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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