NewHartfordPlus.com

Photos & Text By: Maria Moore

Trout Fishing Opening Day is a HUGE day for fishermen who come back in droves to one of their favorite fishing spots in the region, the West Branch of the Farmington River. And both Barkhamsted and New Hartford, the two local communities on this part of the river, celebrated this yearly ritual with well-established – and new – events. Following is NHPlus’ photojournal of this great day on the river: cold and with rain imminent, just like the fishermen like it!

Riverton

Fishing at the Riverton Bridge

Looking down onto the fishermen in the river from the Riverton Bridge on April 16, 2011, Opening Day for the trout fishing season.

Mid-morning in the river next to the old Hitchcock Chair Factory, fishermen are still arriving to take their fishing posts.

Fishermen line the river looking east towards Pleasant Valley from the Riverton Bridge.

Fishermen at the recreation area near the Riverton Bridge.

Riverton Fishing Derby

The crowd gather for the result of the Riverton Fishing Derby at the Riverton Volunteer Fire Department.

Announcements at the Fishing Derby.

The most coveted prize: The special-edition Hitchcock chair.

The winner of the fishing derby sitting on the Hitchcock chair he won with his winning catch.

The derby winners and their prize-winning catches.

Pleasant Valley

A fisherman has a stretch of the river to himself under the Pleasant Valley Bridge which is being repaired.

A bench and a couple of chairs set up at the edge of the water "for the older ones to use" as a fisherman informed our photographer. Across the water can be seen the top of of the Pleasant Valley General Store which has just reopened as a tackle shop.

The view from River Road across to the handicapped access area for fishermen.

New Hartford

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Entering New Hartford

The Farmington River as seen at the old Greenwoods Pond location from the bank by the Hurley Building.

A view of the river flowing towards New Hartford Center as seen from the bank near the large field area at the Hurley Building on Greenwoods Road.

Side trip to Bakerville
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A side trip from the river to the Fishermen's Breakfast at the South End Volunteer Fire Department on Route 202 in Bakerville which was filled with patrons.

New Hartford Center

A boy gets a fishing lesson on the river in New Hartford Center.

Fishermen in the river seen from the Route 219 bridge in New Hartford Center.

Two fishermen receiving fishing lessons in the river near the Route 219 bridge.

Learning to cast a line.

Pine Meadow

Fisherman’s Breakfast at Pine Meadow Volunteer Fire Department

Stopping off for breakfast at the Pine Meadow Volunteer Fire Department served by the friendly crew including (not in order) Walter Wabrek, Rita Wabrek, Jeremiah Wabrek, Vanessa Wabrek, Lew Patchett, Phil Loveless, John Racloz, Amanada Loveless and Tyler O'Neill. Paul and Polly Pobuda had just left the building.

Black Bridge in Pine Meadow

Fishermen in the river as it flows towards Black Bridge from New Hartford Center.

Fishermen on the banks of the river as it flows towards Satan's Kingdom and then on to Canton - the end of our photographer's trip.

Trip ends at the Fishermen’s Lunch at the North Congregational Church

Glenn Strycharz stops by the baked goods table manned by Donna Howard and her young helper to pick up some dessert to go with the soup and sandwich lunch provided by the members of the North Congregational Church. A delicious way for our photographer to end her Opening Day adventure.

Many Thanks to the friendly people – both fishermen and non-fishermen alike – who made this trip along the West Branch of the Farmington River such a joy.

Many Thanks to the NewHartfordPlus Crew (Bob Moore and Murray the Border Collie) who turned a trip a few miles up the river into an adventure!

NHPlus crew on assignment

The following is a press release from the Department of Environmental Protection regarding the confirmation of the presence of a highly invasive freshwater alga, Didymosphenia geminata, known as “didymo” or “rock snot” in the West Branch of the Farmington River. The West Branch flows from Riverton, through Pleasant Valley and New Hartford Center and through Pine Meadow before joining with the East Branch in Puddle Town and continuing through Satan’s Kingdom to Canton as one body of water:

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today [Tuesday, March 29], that the highly invasive freshwater alga, Didymosphenia geminata, known as “didymo”, has been discovered in the West Branch Farmington River, a very popular trout stream in northwestern Connecticut.

Didymo (New Zealand image)

The presence of didymo was first confirmed in the northeastern United States in 2007, and has since spread to other popular trout streams in a number of northeastern states (New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia). This is the first report of didymo in Connecticut.

DEP first learned of the possible presence of didymo in the West Branch Farmington River from several anglers on March 18th. One of these anglers also provided an initial sample to DEP. Following initial review by DEP staff, samples were sent to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation where biologists have direct experience identifying didymo. Late last Friday, Vermont officials confirmed that the sample was indeed didymo.

“This find is very troubling,” said DEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Frechette. “Extensive blooms of this organism can harm the river ecosystem and decrease its recreational and economic value. In an effort to confirm identification, staff from DEP’s Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse surveyed a number of sites in the river and a major tributary along a seven mile stretch of the West Branch Farmington River in Hartland and Barkhamsted. Unfortunately numerous clumps of didymo were found at all the surveyed sites in the river downstream of the Riverton Bridge. Once didymo has spread, there’s no practical way to remove it from a river.”

Didymo is most frequently found in cold, relatively shallow streams and rivers having a rocky bottom, characteristics that are also typical of good trout habitat. During blooms, didymo can form thick mats of material that feel like wet wool and are typically gray, white and/or brown, but never green in color. These mats form on the bottoms of rivers and streams and can potentially smother aquatic plants, aquatic insects and mollusks, impact fish habitat, and alter aquatic food chains. Dense mats of didymo can also reduce the recreational and aesthetic value of the affected river. Since didymo also prefers areas open to sunlight, it is not anticipated that this species will become problematic in smaller headwater streams as long as they have well shaded riparian and naturally forested riparian areas.

Prevent The Spread Of Didymo

Humans are the primary vector responsible for the recent spread of didymo. Anglers, kayakers and canoeists, boaters and jet skiers can all unknowingly spread didymo. The microscopic cells can cling to fishing gear, waders (felt soles can be especially problematic), boots and boats, and remain viable for months under even slightly moist conditions. To prevent the spread of didymo to additional waters, DEP asks that anglers, especially those who also fish the Farmington River or streams outside Connecticut, and other users practice CHECK, CLEAN, DRY procedures.

CHECK: Before leaving a river, stream or lake, remove all obvious clumps of algae and plant material from fishing gear, waders, clothing & footwear, canoes & kayaks, and anything else that has been in the water and look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the site. If you find any later, clean your gear and dispose of all material in the trash.

CLEAN: Soak/spray & scrub boats and all other “hard” items for at least one minute in either very hot (140°F) water, a 2% bleach solution, or a 5% dishwashing detergent solution. Absorbent materials such as clothes and felt soles on waders should be soaked for at least 40 minutes in very hot water (140°F), or 30 minutes in hot water (115°F) with 5% dishwashing detergent. Freezing thoroughly will also kill didymo.

DRY: If cleaning is not practical, after the item is completely dry to touch, wait an additional 48 hours before contact or use in any other waterway.

The above procedures will also be effective against other unwanted organisms.

Didymo is just one of a number of aquatic invasive species that have either invaded the state or are threatening to do so. DEP will continue its work to combat the spread of invasive species, focusing on prevention, education and early detection. DEP is an active member of the Invasive Plants Council and supports both an Invasive Plant Program and an Aquatic Nuisance Species Program in collaboration with the University of Connecticut. When available, DEP has provided funding from a variety of sources to educate the public on the threats posed by invasive species and to combat specific invasive species including fanwort, water chestnut and hydrilla. In addition, the DEP has recently proposed new regulations to prohibit the possession or importation into the state of a number of invasive invertebrates.

Since its discovery in the northeast in 2007, DEP has taken additional precautions to prevent the introduction and/or spread of didymo (and other invasive species). DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division instituted an operational “Biosecurity” policy for its own field operations, including elimination of the use of felt-soled waders. Also, as part of its invasive species outreach efforts, informational fliers on didymo were distributed to many of the state’s bait & tackle shops and information about didymo has been prominently displayed in the CT Anglers Guide and on its website.

Individuals wishing to report possible sightings of didymo and other aquatic nuisance species can contact DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division at 860-424-3474. More information on didymo and other aquatic nuisance species can be found on the DEP website (www.ct.gov/dep) or in the CT Angler’s Guide (www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/fishing/anglers_guide/anguide.pdf).

An excellent source for detailed information on didymo is the Biosecurity New Zealand web site(www.biosecurity.govt.nz/didymo).

Maps of The West Branch And East Branch In New Hartford

West Branch (Barkhamsted to New Hartford)

Click on the map above to view the original on the CT Water Trails Assoc. website

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West and East Branches of Farmington River in New Hartford
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Click on the map above to visit the CT Water Trails Assoc. website

By: Maria Moore

The Mallory Brook Plaza in Barkhamsted was open for business as usual yesterday, Saturday, February 12, after having been closed from this past Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon due to concerns from the snow accumulated on the roof.

The plaza was closed when employees at various businesses reported hearing creaking and cracking sounds from the roof. The Barkhamsted Building Inspector ordered the building to be evacuated until the snow was removed from the flat roof. On Friday afternoon, the snow removal had been completed and the shopping center was allowed to reopen.

On Saturday all the stores were open again for business. The NewHartfordPlus crew went to the plaza on a regular shopping trip and found the parking lot full and the businesses filled with customers, with only the large piles of snow at the building’s corners as reminders of the last several days of unusual activity.

Our reporter called Dr. Leon Reich, the New York-based owner of the plaza and left a message on his home telephone. Any additional information we may obtain in the next several days will be added to this report.

News about the closing of Mallory Brook Plaza and its reopening was first reported by the Republican American. To read Saturday’s Republican American report, see Barkhamsted shopping plaza, movies reopened after snow scare.

Mallory Brook Plaza open for business again on Saturday, February 12. Photo: Maria Moore

Another view of Mallory Brook Plaza looking towards the Tractor Supply store. Photo: Maria

Update on Town Buildings From Barkhamsted First Selectman

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Following is information we received this past Monday, February 7, from Don Stein, First Selectman of Barkhamsted, giving an update on the status of his town’s buildings:

Many of you may have heard that the Town’s salt storage building collapsed Friday afternoon. The building, which is a Quonset hut design, was constructed over 16 years ago and was nearing the end of its useful life. Quonset huts were originally developed by the U.S. Navy for storage in remote locations and have the capability to withstand harsh environments. Despite careful monitoring of the snow depth on the Town’s buildings, the snow on this aluminum structure was apparently beyond its limit. The collapse was likely due to the fact that it was corroded from its years of service.

Most importantly, no one was inside the building at the time and no one was injured. After the collapse, we immediately demolished the building for safety reasons. Regional Refuse Disposal District #1 will sell the scrap metal on behalf of the Town. The building was insured, as is all town property, and we are working with our insurance carrier to determine the replacement value. Fortunately, we were able to relocate the salt in the building to the other Quonset hut.

School Superintendent Jeff Linton and I worked together throughout the weekend to review the other buildings in town. Even though we did not believe there was any additional danger, we are using town employees and a hired contractor to remove ice and snow from the Barkhamsted School, the Town Hall, the Town Garage, the old Town Garage, the second Quonset hut, and the Senior Center.

We felt that we needed to move quickly, rather than risk any other problems with town-owned buildings.

Jeff Linton sent a note to the school community regarding the Barkhamsted School. That note, as well as this one, is posted on the Barkhamsted town website.

Please call me if you have any questions,

Don Stein,
First Selectman, Barkhamsted

By: Maria Moore

One of the two Quonset huts at the Barkhamsted Highway Department facility on Route 44 collapsed yesterday afternoon, causing irreparable damage to the building. Our reporter spoke with Don Stein, First Selectman of Barkhamsted, yesterday evening, Friday February 4, and Don confirmed the collapse of the structure, adding: “Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.”

The Quonset hut – a semicircular, corrugated galvanized steel building – caved in completely and the town immediately dismantled it and placed the steel in two large dumpsters. The First Selectman said that Hoskins Excavating was able to bring their equipment to the Barkhamsted facility that very afternoon to help with the removal of the structure. Jim Hart, RRDD#1 Administrator, also sent a couple of dumpsters down to the facility so that the steel from the structure could be placed directly into them. The Barkhamsted Highway Department is located next to the driveway leading up to the regional recycling center. Don added that he’d just gotten off the phone with Rich Novak, the Barkhamsted Highway Superintendent and that Rich was just going home at the end of the operation.

The huts have been in use at the Barkhamsted Highway Department facility for a little over 20 years. “They’re nearing the end of their useful life,” Don said, adding that the buildings were still serviceable. Don explained to our reporter that Quonset huts had been developed by the US Army during the second world and that their semicircular design makes them ideally suited to an area like ours that receives a lot of snow.

The Quonset huts at the facility are slated to be replaced in the near future. Barkhamsted voters approved the renovation of their town garage (a.k.a. highway department facility) at a Town Meeting on October 19, 2010. The first phase of that project is to replace the Quonset huts with smaller buildings. To read more about the October Town Meeting when voters approved renovations to the Barkhamsted town garage, please read Jason Siedzik’s October 20, 2010 report in the Register Citizen Barkhamsted voters unanimously approve town garage project.

Many Thanks to Jim and Johnny with TWB Properties at the former Waring building for letting us know about the collapsed building at the Barkhamsted facility. “Thanks, guys!”

The collapsed Quonset hut can just be seen beyond the huge pile of snow at the Barkhamsted Highway Department facility on Route 44

The Hoskins Excavating equipment at work

A Highway Department employee rides an aerial lift to remove snow from the undamaged Quonset hut next to the one that collapsed

A Barkhamsted Highway Department crew member with a snow rake above the undamaged Quonset hut

An excavator dismantles the collapsed hut

A loader carries the chunks of steel...

... and deposits them in the dumpster.