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Massachusetts | Berkshire County / Pittsfield to Ashley Falls
Housatonic RiverDecker Landing to Woods Pond Bridge
A guide-listed easy paddle from the popular Decker Landing launch to Woods Pond Bridge, ending before Woods Pond Dam.
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
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 guide-listed easy paddle from the popular Decker Landing launch to Woods Pond Bridge, ending before Woods Pond Dam.
Access map
Put-in
Decker Landing official canoe access water-entry edge, New Lenox RoadTake out at the official Woods Pond Bridge landing before the downstream dam; limited off-road parking is documented.
Take-out
Woods Pond Bridge public canoe landing water-entry edge, Crystal StreetGreat 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
- Take out at the official Woods Pond Bridge landing before the downstream dam; limited off-road parking is documented.
- 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 01197145 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
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Housatonic River at Lenoxdale, MA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
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Gauge
Recent trend
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Route gallery
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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
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Housatonic River at Lenoxdale, MA |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| 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 |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
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 distanceDecker Landing to Woods Pond Bridge; 4.6 guide or derived miles
HVA 2023 Section B: 4.6 miles of flatwater, rated easy paddling.
- 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 01197145 Housatonic River at Lenoxdale, 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 accessDecker Landing official canoe access water-entry edge, New Lenox Road to Woods Pond Bridge public canoe landing water-entry edge, Crystal Street
Take out at the official Woods Pond Bridge landing before the downstream dam; limited off-road parking is documented.
- 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
HVA identifies public day-use access only; no on-route overnight campground or riverbank camping right is documented.
- Overlap and consolidationsegment in housatonic-berkshire-upper-access-chain
This is the easy middle link in the HVA access chain; its dam-side take-out remains a distinct short-trip endpoint.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Reports
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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 Decker Landing to Woods Pond Bridge route on the Housatonic River?
Paddle Today watches Housatonic River at Lenoxdale, 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 Decker Landing to Woods Pond Bridge route on the Housatonic River start and end?
This route starts at Decker Landing official canoe access water-entry edge, New Lenox Road and ends at Woods Pond Bridge public canoe landing water-entry edge, Crystal Street, about 4.6 river miles on the water.
Is the Decker Landing to Woods Pond Bridge route on the Housatonic River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
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