Outstandingly Remarkable Values

Four Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) were identified by studying the Housatonic River from the Massachusetts state line to Boardman Bridge. Learn about these contributing resources below.

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Recreation

The designated reach of the Housatonic River – from the MA/CT line down to Boardman Bridge in New Milford, CT – continues to be a well-visited recreational area due to its many offerings in a picturesque setting. For example, the Housatonic remains notable in the Southern New England-New York region for its canoeing, kayaking, trout and bass fishing, and fly-fishing. State parks that run along the river provide ample opportunity for hunting, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The Western New England Greenway / U.S. Bicycle Route 7 is a long-distance bicycle route that connects Norwalk, CT and Montreal, QC.  The national bike route traverses the Housatonic River corridor, predominantly following ‘River Roads’ and nearby associated municipal roadways.  Details at wnegreenway.org.

scenic

​The Housatonic River flows through forested mountains and rolling hills to broad floodplains dotted with picturesque tiny villages. Although there has been some development over the years, especially towards the southern portion of the designation segment, the charm and beauty of the area remain. The Housatonic River corridor contains some outstanding scenery. Portions of Route 4 and Route 7 have been designated scenic roads by the state and afford views of the river. Several towns within the Housatonic corridor including Canaan, Kent, New Milford, and Sharon have a local scenic road ordinance. Additionally, Kent Falls State Park is one of Connecticut's most visually stunning and dramatic places featuring cascading waterfalls over 250 feet long. A stairway path along the falls offers views of the falls from top to bottom. Also located in Kent, Macedonia Brook State Park offers outstanding views of the Catskill and Taconic Mountains in nearby New York.

CUltural and historical

​Within the designated river segment, two wooden covered bridges and one wrought iron bridge are listed on the National Register of Historic Places for their engineering significance. These are the covered bridges at West Cornwall and Bulls Bridge, and the wrought iron Boardman Bridge. In addition, the National Register includes the 19th Century Railroad Station at Cornwall Bridge on the east bank of the Housatonic River and the Union Depot in North Canaan. The remains of an old iron furnace in Kent have been recognized as a state historical resource and have been nominated to the National Register. The State has also given recognition to a 60-acre historical district in Kent which borders on the river.

ecological

The Housatonic Valley is a unique ecosystem that is home to various plants and animals, some not found in other parts of the state. Much of this is owed to the diverse habitats of the area's agricultural lands, woodlands, wetlands, and overgrown abandoned fields.

Some of the species listed as either ‘threatened’, ‘endangered’, or ‘of special concern’ by the state include the Blue Spotted Salamander, Jefferson Salamander, Northern Spring Salamander, Northern Leopard Frog, Bog Turtle, Wood Turtle, Eastern Hognose Snake, Eastern Ribbon Snake, Timber Rattlesnake, Silver Haired Bat, Red Bat, Hoary Bat, Southern Bog Lemming, Eastern Meadowlarks, Brown Thrashers, Longnose Sucker and several species of butterflies. The federally protected Bald Eagle also makes its home here along the river.

The ecological and educational value of the vegetation in the Housatonic Valley is attributed to the occurrence of critical habitats which support a variety of plants that are scarce to absent over the rest of the state and parts of New England. These critical habitats include marble ridges and ledges, and calcareous wetlands whose vegetation is uniquely suited to the marble or carbonate rocks that occur in the Housatonic Valley yet are of extremely restricted occurrence in the rest of the state. Several sites have been proposed for Connecticut's Critical Biological Area status.