300px, Fenton River along the Nipmuck Trail just north of CT Route 44 (UConn Forest)
The Fenton River is a major water source for the
University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a public land-grant research university in Storrs, Connecticut, a village in the town of Mansfield. The primary 4,400-acre (17.8 km2) campus is in Storrs, approximately a half hour's drive from H ...
that runs through
Mansfield,
Storrs, and
Willington, as well as small parts of
Windham, all but the latter in
Tolland County
Tolland County is a county in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of the 2020 census, its population was 149,788. It is incorporated into 13 towns and was originally formed on 13 October 1785 from portions of eastern H ...
,
Connecticut
Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its capita ...
. spanning 18.895 miles (about 30.408 kilometers). It feeds into
Mansfield Hollow reservoir at its end, making it a tributary to the
Mount Hope,
Natchaug, and
Willimantic rivers. The Fenton River is fed by several smaller brooks, streams, and creeks. It is used as a water source by the
University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a public land-grant research university in Storrs, Connecticut, a village in the town of Mansfield. The primary 4,400-acre (17.8 km2) campus is in Storrs, approximately a half hour's drive from H ...
Storrs Campus, and is as thus relatively shallow.
The stone Gristmill on the intersection of Stonemill and Gurleyville roads was once functional, and now is protected by the
Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust
Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust, or Joshua's Trust, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) land trust operating in northeast Connecticut. Joshua's Trust was incorporated in 1966 to help conserve property of significant natural or historic inter ...
. Along its shores are huge swaths of protected land, mainly belonging to the university, Joshua's Trust, Nipmuck Trail, or other such preserve. Soil erosion is a small problem along some stretches. The USGS has a river flow and height monitoring station posted in the Fenton on Old Turnpike Road, in Storrs. It is currently not being pumped due to drought.
Flora and fauna
The animal life that is found here is much like that of any river in northeastern Connecticut. Great blue heron sightings are common, as are those of snapping turtles and bobcats on the shore. Occasionally, a loon may be spotted, though this is rare, and often dismissed as a duck. It is a renowned fishing spot among local anglers, providing rainbow trout and salmon. Many of the trout are placed in the river by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, DEEP and by UConn.
[http://articles.courant.com/2005-09-30/news/0509300592_1_water-supply-water-system-willimantic-river ] Many mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians are found here, and it is a breeding ground for dragonflies and other insects.
A good selection of plants grow along the banks. Trees such as birch, pine, beech, and willow abound. Oaks and maples are found in smaller numbers. There is enough moisture and shade for several species of fungi to grow in.
See also
* Nipmuck Trail
*
Mansfield Hollow
* Mount Hope River
* Natchaug River
* Willimantic River
References
Sources
{{authority control
Rivers of Connecticut
Tributaries of the Thames River (Connecticut)
Rivers of Tolland County, Connecticut
