Hammonasset River facts for kids
The Hammonasset River is a beautiful river in Connecticut. It starts about 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Durham, Connecticut. The river begins on Bunker Hill, near the junction of Route 148 and Bunker Hill Road.
This river flows for about 21 miles (33.8 km). It ends in Clinton Harbor on Long Island Sound. This spot is just east of Hammonasset Beach State Park. The Hammonasset River is a great place for outdoor fun.
Fun on the River
Many people enjoy paddling on the Hammonasset River. There is a popular route that is about 10 miles (16 km) long. This route starts near Summer Hill Road. You can find it about 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Route 79 in North Madison.
The river offers a scenic trip. Most of the water is calm and moves quickly. But there are also a few exciting spots. These areas have small rapids, which can be a fun challenge for paddlers.
The Hammonasset People
The Hammonasset River gets its name from the Hammonasset people. They were a group of Algonquian Native Americans. This tribe lived in this part of Connecticut. Their lands stretched from the west bank of the Connecticut River to the Hammonasset River along the coast. They used these areas for hunting and gathering.
How the River Got Its Name
The name "Hammonasset" has a long history. In the past, it was spelled in different ways, like "Homonoscet" or "Homonoscitt."
In 1666, the Connecticut General Court made a decision. They created New London County. The western edge of this new county was called "Homonoscet Plantation." This area was settled by English people in 1663. Today, this place is known as Killingworth. The river and the land still carry the name of the Hammonasset people.
