On the Housatonic River at Falls Village in the town of Canaan, Litchfield County, Connecticut, Great Falls drops 50 feet as a wide horsetail waterfall. Wikipedia calls it the highest-volume waterfall in the state, and in spring the river flows across a broad ledge that gave the village its name.
The falls
The river spreads about 112 feet wide across a single rock ledge before breaking into rapids below. The drop totals 50 feet in one tier. A dam just upstream diverts much of the river for most of the year to the Falls Village hydroelectric station, built in 1914 and converted to run-of-river operation in 2010. Water levels fluctuate widely, and the cascade reaches its greatest strength during dam releases.
Getting there
The falls sit in FirstLight's Falls Village Recreation Area at 35 Water Street. From the upper area, which has an overlook of the falls, a picnic area and a boat launch, the falls are about 200 feet from the road. The 1,000-foot Amesville interpretive trail connects there with the Appalachian Trail. The lower area, below the powerhouse, has a boat ramp, picnic tables, grills, a restroom, accessible fishing and a three-quarter-mile interpretive trail that shares the Appalachian Trail.
When to go
Late winter and early spring bring high flows, with late March to June and periods after heavy rain also recommended. With bare trees, the falls are clearly visible from the road from March to early May.
On site
Dogs are permitted on the property, but the terrain is not wheelchair accessible and swimming is not possible. Whitewater kayakers run the rapids below at high water; a horn at the powerhouse signals rising water, and paddlers portage the falls. In 2009 a visitor fell about 40 feet near the falls and was rescued with three companions; visitors should stay back from the ledge edges.
History and name
The falls are also known as Canaan Falls and Housatonic Falls, and Falls Village is named for them.
Nearby
Deans Ravine Falls is about 3.3 miles away, Riga Falls about 5.3 miles and Pine Swamp Brook Falls about 6.7 miles. The Appalachian Trail, reached from both parts of the recreation area, makes a longer walk possible.
Distances are straight-line.