Beacon Falls is a historical rapid name on the Naugatuck River in the town of Beacon Falls, Connecticut, in the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region. The river cuts through the middle of the town, and the listed spot lies on a Class I-II paddling reach.
The falls
Beacon Falls is recorded as a historical name, and whatever drop gave the town its "falls" does not meet modern criteria for a waterfall, with no measured height recorded. On the water, this part of the Naugatuck forms the lower end of the South Waterbury to Beacon Falls run, graded Class I-II in summary and up to II+ in detail.
Getting there
Paddling routes describe a 6.6-mile paddle from the Platts Mills area off South Main Street in Waterbury down to Beacon Falls, with take-outs at the Depot Street bridge by the railroad station or at River Bend. Public river access is available by the green bridge and railroad station in Beacon Falls and at Veterans Park.
When to go
The runnable range spans 3 to 7 feet on the Naugatuck River at Beacon Falls gauge, a stage reading rather than a flow in cfs.
On site
Paddlers continuing downstream reach Tingue Dam in Seymour, which poses a severe danger; portage around it.
History and name
Colonists from Derby settled the area in 1678, and the town was incorporated in 1871 from parts of Bethany, Naugatuck, Oxford and Seymour. The town takes its name from Beacon Hill, a colonial lookout. The Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Company and the Homer D. Bronson hinge works were its main employers until both left by the 1980s.
Nearby
Mad River Cascades is about 12.6 miles away, Bulls Bridge Cascades on the Housatonic River about 28.1 miles and Enfield Falls about 42.6 miles.
Distances are straight-line.