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Massachusetts | Berkshire County / Pittsfield to Ashley Falls
Housatonic RiverGlendale Dam portage put-in to Rising Pond take-out
A short Class III Housatonic run below Glendale Dam, starting at the signed public portage launch and ending at the Rising Pond water-edge take-out.
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
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Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A short Class III Housatonic run below Glendale Dam, starting at the signed public portage launch and ending at the Rising Pond water-edge take-out.
Access map
Put-in
Glendale Dam official canoe portage put-in water-entry edge below the damReach the put-in using the signed public canoe portage path below Glendale Dam. The take-out is across the lawn below the pumping station as the river enters Rising Pond; finish before the downstream dam.
Take-out
Rising Pond public primitive take-out lawn at the water edgeGreat Barrington River Walk is a trail, not a public boat launch; use only the named public canoe sites. The former Bridge Street/Searles access is permanently closed for public safety.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Reach the put-in using the signed public canoe portage path below Glendale Dam. The take-out is across the lawn below the pumping station as the river enters Rising Pond; finish before the downstream dam.
- Great Barrington River Walk is a trail, not a public boat launch; use only the named public canoe sites. The former Bridge Street/Searles access is permanently closed for public safety.
Watch for
- USGS 01197500 discharge and trend; HVA’s broad 150 cfs minimum is a planning screen only
- PCBs in river sediment and current fish-consumption advisories
- Cold water, rainfall rises, shallow rocks and strainers
- Dam exclusion zones and mandatory take-out/portage boundaries
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Conditions
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USGS measurements
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Housatonic River near Great Barrington, MA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
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Score & sources
Why this score
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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.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
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| Gauge site | Housatonic River near Great Barrington, MA |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 150 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | HVA Housatonic 150 cfs planning cue and nearest-gauge guidance |
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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.
- Named reach and distanceGlendale Dam portage put-in to Rising Pond take-out; 3.8 guide or derived miles
HVA Berkshire guide Section F (2023 update): 3.8 miles; HVA describes Class III rapids, steep portage launch, rocky water and fallen-tree potential.
- Scoring threshold150 cfs broad minimum planning cue
HVA’s guide cautions against paddling below 150 cfs and names Great Barrington and East Branch Coltsville gauges for reference. Use this community cue as a low-water screen only, not a guarantee of floatability or safety.
- GaugeUSGS 01197500 Housatonic River near Great Barrington, MA
Selected same-mainstem gauge reference for this trip. HVA’s 150 cfs minimum is broad paddling guidance, not a local operating limit; check intervening tributaries and conditions at the selected reach.
- Public water accessGlendale Dam official canoe portage put-in water-entry edge below the dam to Rising Pond public primitive take-out lawn at the water edge
Reach the put-in using the signed public canoe portage path below Glendale Dam. The take-out is across the lawn below the pumping station as the river enters Rising Pond; finish before the downstream dam.
- PCB and fish advisoryHousatonic PCB contamination and active state fish/waterfowl advisories
Massachusetts identifies PCB contamination in river water, sediment, banks and floodplain and publishes Housatonic-specific advisories. Avoid swimming/sediment contact and follow current consumption guidance.
- CampingDay trip; no on-route camping documented
The HVA guide describes day-use launches and take-outs only; no on-route overnight camping is documented.
- Overlap and consolidationsegment in housatonic-berkshire-glendale-day-use
This distinct below-dam trip requires the signed land portage from the upstream Glendale access; do not imply continuous water passage through the dam.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- Housatonic Valley Association Berkshire County Paddling Guide (2023)
- HVA Housatonic 150 cfs planning cue and nearest-gauge guidance
- USGS Housatonic River near Great Barrington, MA gauge
- Massachusetts Housatonic River PCB contamination and restoration
- Massachusetts Housatonic River fish and waterfowl advisory
Paddler reports
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Reports
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More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
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Quick answers
Housatonic River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Glendale Dam portage put-in to Rising Pond take-out route on the Housatonic River?
Paddle Today watches Housatonic River near Great Barrington, MA and uses 150 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does the Glendale Dam portage put-in to Rising Pond take-out route on the Housatonic River start and end?
This route starts at Glendale Dam official canoe portage put-in water-entry edge below the dam and ends at Rising Pond public primitive take-out lawn at the water edge, about 3.8 river miles on the water.
Is the Glendale Dam portage put-in to Rising Pond take-out route on the Housatonic River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
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