Access Update 5/25/19

By: Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation | Agency of Natural Resources

Waterbury, Vt. - Improvements are currently under way at the Waterbury Dam and Blush Hill boat launches which will lead to improved access and erosion control. Spring rains and high reservoir levels have affected the construction schedule for these improvements:

* Waterbury Dam boat launch is currently on target to be completed by the end of June. During the construction period the launch will be open for boat access except for a yet to be named weekday closure to allow for the paving to be finished. There will also be sections of the access area that will need to be closed at times to accommodate line marking and finish work.

* Blush Hill boat launch improvements are currently on target to be completed by the middle of June, although the public will be able to use the boat launch on weekends, Memorial Day, and evenings during this time period. There will be limited parking available due to the presence of construction equipment.

* Moscow Paddlers Access improvements are currently on target to be completed by the end of June. Public use of the access will be available on the weekends and all evenings during the construction period. Construction work is anticipated to begin the second week in June and take one week to complete, pending weather and reservoir levels.

Please be aware of construction activities, heavy machinery, and truck traffic through the duration of the construction process at all three locations.

Green Mountain Power's license to operate a hydropower facility at the Waterbury Dam was recently renewed by federal regulators, and GMP will be doing the boat launch work to improve recreational access as part of this relicensing. These projects are part of a larger commitment by GMP to improve four recreational access areas around Waterbury Reservoir: Moscow Paddlers' access at the north end, Waterbury Dam boat launch and the Anglers' Trail to the west, and Blush Hill boat launch in the south-central part. The Anglers' Trail was completed in 2018. Long-term maintenance and management of the access areas and trail will be performed by the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. Waterbury Reservoir is the ninth largest waterbody in Vermont, created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps as a flood control project. There are two state parks and 30 remote campsites located on its shores and many people access the reservoir for boating, wildlife viewing, swimming, camping, and fishing each year. Waterbury Reservoir is almost completely surrounded by State land, managed primarily by the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation as part of the 44,444-acre Mount Mansfield State Forest. For more information, visit https://vtstateparks.com/littleriver.html.