MA Towns in the Hoosic River Watershed:
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Adams
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Berkshire
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Cheshire
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Clarksburg
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Hancock
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Lanesboro
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New Ashford
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North Adams
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Savoy
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Williamstown
Major Tributaries:
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Browns Brook
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Case Brook
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Hoosic North Branch
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The Green River
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Little Hoosic River
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Walloomsac River
To learn more about conservation, restoration, and enjoyment of the Hoosic River, check out the Hoosic Report Card.
What's happening in the Hoosic River watershed? Click here to find out!
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Deputy Director for PolicyMass Rivers is currently seeking a Deputy Director of Policy. Please click here for a detailed job description and instructions for how to apply.
Hoosic River Activities

Swimming
As a "Class B Impaired" river, swimming in the Hoosic is allowed but not recommended. There are several parks along the shore of the river that are accessible for swimming. To find out more information on water quality, check out How Clean is the Hoosic River? and the Hoosic River Recreational Assessment.
Swimming locations:
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Linear Park (Williamstown)
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Clayton Park (Pownal)
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Storobridge Complex (Pownal)

Walk, Hike, Bike
Walking, hiking, and biking locations:
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Long-distance trails:
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The Appalachian Trail, a 2,000-mile footpath from Georgia to Maine. There are several trail shelters along the route.
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Taconic Crest Trail (Hancock, MA to Petersburg, NY). A 29 mile-long trail from Madden Road in Hancock to RT 436 in Petersburg.
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Short-distance trails:
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Mt. Greylock State Reservation (Lanesborough). Located at 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough and is handicap accessible. See the state's website for more information.
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Includes (seasonal) parking fee at summit that is higher for non-MA residents.
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Mt. Tom State Reservation (Holyoke). A good trail for bird-watching, especially for seeing hawks.
- Includes parking fee that is higher for non-Massachusetts residents.
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Hoosac Range Trail (North Adams). Located at 2441-2599 Mohawk Trail, North Adams. See their trail map.
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The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail (Cheshire, Lanesborough, & Adams) is a 12.7 mile accessible trail. This is an old rail track converted into a 10-foot wide paved trail with multiple access points.
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Visit this website for more information on trails around the Hoosic River.

Paddling
Paddling locations:
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Recommended routes in MA from the Hoosic River Watershed Association:
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North Adams to Lauren’s Launch (Williamstown)
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Lauren’s Launch (Williamstown) to Clayton Park (Pownal, VT)
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Visit HooRWA's page on paddling for more information, including locations in Vermont and New York.

Boating & Sailing
Please contact us with any information about boating the Hoosic River.

Fishing
Fishing is allowed in certain areas of the Hoosic River. The most common species of fish are Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Rainbow Trout.
Fishing locations:
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Fishing Locations:
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Notch Brook (North Adams)
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Sherman Brook (North Adams)
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Paull Brook (Williamstown)
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Phoebes Brook (Williamstown)
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Eclipse Dam (North Adams)
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Hudson Brook (North Adams)
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Canyon Brook (Clarksburg)
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For Public Fishing Rights Maps, click here.