Codfish Falls is a 17-foot tiered waterfall on Fishers Brook in Mansfield, Tolland County, Connecticut, about 1.5 miles from the village of Storrs. The brook drops through a string of short plunges and cascades in a steep little gorge on private land.
The falls
The stream drops across three main tiers of about 3 to 4 feet each, linked by smaller cascades, totaling 17 feet. Other measurements record an 11-foot tallest drop, or a 20-foot total in drops of 2, 5 and 11 feet, the top one a 7-foot plunge followed by a 4-foot fan. Below the falls, Fishers Brook continues to the Fenton River.
Getting there
The falls are on private property where respectful visitors have long been tolerated, though Joshua's Trust holds a conservation easement on the land and does not encourage visits. A small dirt pullout on Codfish Falls Road, just past the bridge over Fishers Brook, holds room for one or two cars. From there the path runs upstream, with the brook on the right, for about 300 feet: under 0.1 mile, easy and nearly flat, though not wheelchair accessible.
When to go
March to June offers the strongest spring flow for viewing the falls.
On site
The ground at the base is steep and slopes down toward the water, and the rocks are slippery. Swimming is not possible here, and dogs are permitted.
History and name
A local story from a 2002 newspaper account tells of a man who claimed to have been fishing here but came home with store-bought cod, giving himself away because cod do not live in the brook.
Nearby
Shelter Falls on Cedar Swamp Brook is about 3 miles away, and Dianas Pool on the Natchaug River is about 5.8 miles away.
Distances are straight-line.