Falls of the Month, March 2000

Wadsworth Falls

Ratings : Power - Beauty - Ease of Access -

• Location : Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middletown, central Connecticut
• Height : 15 feet
• River/Stream : Coginchaug River
• Water Levels : moderate-high
• Safety Considerations : swift currents
• Driving Directions : From CT-9, take exit 15 to CT-66 West in Middletown. After 1.5 miles, turn left on to CT-157 South. The main park entrance is 1.5 miles later on the left and is very obvious. A fee may be charged at this parking lot if you decide to park here. To continue on to the falls parking lot, go 1.1 miles further and turn on Cherry Hill Road. Continue 1.2 miles to the small falls parking area before the bridge over the Coginchaug River and railroad tracks. There is no fee here.
• Rules/Limitations/Fees for Access : fee for main parking lot

The height of Wadsworth Falls is really not very impressive. At only 15 feet high, this falls is dwarfed in height by most of the other Connecticut waterfalls. However, there are few waterfalls in Connecticut that match its power. Wadsworth Falls looks like a miniature Niagara Falls in that it is much wider than it is high and it has a large volume of water passing over it. Even in drier times, the falls is pretty full. In the spring or after a good rain, the Coginchaug can pour over the falls in a furious torrent.

Named after Col. Clarence Wadsworth, the previous owner of the falls, the falls are located in a corner of Wadsworth Falls State Park. Most of the park is taken up with trails, picnic areas, and a large swimming hole. In fact, the main entrance to the park is on the other side of the park from the falls. However, the secondary parking area for the falls makes it easy and free to view the falls. On one side of the falls is a large shaded grassy area where the falls can be viewed from different angles. There's even a little walkway out to a point directly above the falls. The area makes a great place to picnic. On the other side of the falls are many tall trees on a steep incline up to railroad tracks. The wall that the trees and the slope provide make the falls seem initimate than most river falls.

About a third of a mile away from the falls on a trail is Little Falls, a delicate waterfall with overhanging ledges over which tumbles a tiny stream. In higher water, this falls can be quite beautiful but in lower water, it isn't too exciting. However, it's a nice walk and Little Falls is actually three times the height of the bigger Wadsworth Falls.

Although there is absolutely no swimming above or below the falls because of strong currents, fishermen are often seen trying to pluck trout out of the deep and fast-moving waters below the falls. However, the park land ends just around the bend where a gunsmithy has been converted into a private home so there isn't much room to fish.

Total distances : Only a hundred feet or so over easy terrain.

Other Nearby Waterfalls : :Little Falls, Seven Falls

Complete List of Falls of the Month : Falls of Rocky Mountain National Park Part IV - February 2001, Falls of Rocky Mountain National Park Part III - January 2001, Falls of Rocky Mountain National Park Part II - November/December 2000, Falls of Rocky Mountain National Park Part I - June through October 2000, Bash Bish Falls - May 2000, Wadsworth Falls - March 2000, Staton's Falls - February 2000, no December or January Falls of Month (I was lazy...), Raymondskill Falls - November 1999, Linville Falls - October 1999, no September 1999 Falls of the Month, Race Brook Falls - August 1999, Blackwater Falls - July 1999, Muddy Creek Falls - June 1999, Whiteoak Canyon - May 1999, Elakala Falls - April 1999, Southford Falls - March 1999