Junior River Ranger

Activity Booklet

Upper Farmington Wild and Scenic River

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
Front Cover Photo Credits: 

FRWA, Duncan Somerville, Barkhamsted Historical Society, and Richard English

Sandy Brook

East Branch

West Bran c h

Farmington

Wild & Scenic Section

River/Streams/Reservoirs

State Land

Access Points

Roads

Dams

West Branch 

Reservoir

Barkhamsted 

Reservoir 

Lake 

McDonough

Pleasant 

Valley

Nepaug

Reservoir

CANTON

NEW HARTFORD

Riverton

N

Rte

Rte 44

Still River

Morgan

Brook

Rte 20

Rte 

8

BARKHAMSTED

•

Welcome to the 

Farmington River!

In 1994, the upper 

14 miles of the 

Farmington River were 

designated as Wild 

and Scenic. It was 

designated, or given this name, 

because it is free-flowing and has 

special characteristics including 

excellent bird and fish habitat, many 

recreational opportunities, and 

interesting historical sites. Because 

this river flows through public 

and private lands it is considered a 

Partnership River. This means that 

the river is taken care of by a group 

of people and representatives as 

partners. It is called the Farmington 

River Coordinating Committee 

(FRCC). The FRCC brings people 

together to protect the river. It’s 

great that you’re going to become a 

Junior River Ranger and learn how 

to help protect the river, too.

Goodwin Dam

Beginning of W&S

Riverton Bridge

Lighthouse 

Historic Site

End of W&S

High Bank Rapids – Matthies Grove Picnic Area

Camp White

Squire’s Tavern

Return finished book

Riverton Park

Church Pool

Satan’s Kingdom

Mill 

Raceways

Austin Hawes 

Campground

Remnants of Old 

Greenwoods Dam

Greenwoods

Fishing Area

Peoples State Forest

Nature Museum

American Legion 

State Forest

* *

*

This map shows approximate locations 

of where activities can take place.

•

•

•
We’re happy to see you visiting this beautiful river—and beginning the exciting 

adventure of becoming a Junior River Ranger.

To become a Junior River Ranger complete the number of activities in this 

booklet that equal your age. If you can do all of the activities that’s great! 

I am _____ years old and I will do _______activities.

Once you have completed your activities, go to the Austin Hawes campground office, 

Peoples State Forest Nature Museum (formerly called Stone Museum), or call

860–379–0282 to set up a time to bring the booklet to Squire’s tavern. A River Steward 

will check your book and reward you with a certificate and Official Junior River 

Ranger badge.

Your adventure doesn’t end here! When you finish this book, explore more National 

Parks and Rivers at www.nps.gov/learn/juniorranger. Check out becoming a 

WebRanger at www.nps.gov/webrangers.

Now, let’s start our journey along the 14 miles...

1

Become a Junior River Ranger!

This book belongs to:

___________________________________________________________________________

Fly Fishing, Pleasant Valley

Old Raceways in Pleasant Valley
2

Are you wondering why a Wild and Scenic river is different from other rivers? During 

the early 1900’s while our nation grew, many of our rivers became damaged by 

pollution, dams, and development. A lot of people became concerned. In 1968, a new 

law called the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was made by the U.S. Congress 

to protect free-flowing rivers that have special resources—like the Farmington’s 

free-flowing water, fish and wildlife habitat, recreational 

activities, and history. 

Rivers that are protected under this Act are called Wild 

and Scenic Rivers. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act now 

protects over 200 special rivers across the United States!

As you travel around the river look for these special resources 

that make the upper Farmington River wild and scenic. 

Put a check mark next to any of the ones you see:

Free-flowing water

Birds—Bald eagles, Great Blue Heron, Mergansers

Fish—Trout, Atlantic salmon

Historic sites—Riverton Village, the Lighthouse 

Historic Site, Camp White, Squire’s Tavern, the Peoples State 

Forest Nature Museum (formerly Stone Museum)

Recreation—people in canoes, tubes, or kayaks, people 

fishing, people swimming

Activity 1: Wild and Scenic Special Resources

Common Mergansers

The free flowing upper Farmington River

Camp White

Tubing in Satan’s Kingdom 

Photo Credit: Tom Cameron

Photo Credit: Tom CameronPhoto 
3

While having fun on the river:

Life jackets save lives by keeping your head above water... 

(also known as PFDs) always wear one if you are boating or 

tubing on the river.

Consideration... be aware of and respectful to others 

enjoying the river. Use “river etiquette.”

On the river’s edge:

Poison Ivy... is commonly found around the river—try to avoid it. 

Its oils can give you a rash. “Leaves of three—let it be.” 

Ticks... are a mighty little pest that can cause rashes and Lyme disease. 

Stay on paths and always check for ticks after being outdoors. 

Trash and Litter: 

Carry out what you carry in. Leave glass containers at home—they can break and 

cause injuries to people and animals in the river.

Activity 2: Safety On and Along the River

Life Jacket 

Poison Ivy

Tick 
4

Below is a story about two children who were going out to the river for a trip 

with their family. Fill in the blanks with these safety-related words.

Adult Supervision Protective First-aid-kit 

Water Etiquette Life-jackets

Follow David and Carrie’s River Adventure

David and Carrie were twins that were packing for a trip to the Farmington River with their family. 

They packed up bags with clothes and food, and made sure to pack a_____________________________

_________________________(three words), just in case anyone got hurt. Their dad tied their canoe on 

top of the car, and packed four_______________________________for each person in the family to wear 

while on the canoe ride. When they got to the campsite, their parents reminded them to let one of 

them know where they were going, and when they should be back. They also reminded them not to go 

swimming or tubing without ______________________________________(two words).

They had lots of fun playing in and around the river, and made sure to stay safe. When they went 

on a hike with their parents they remembered to bring extra________________so that they didn’t get 

dehydrated. It was a hot day, and Carrie wanted to wear sandals on their walk, but her mom said it’s 

always best to wear __________________________ (one word) shoes, so that you don’t get injured.

When David and Carrie took their canoe trip with their mom and dad, they saw many things in and 

around the river. They saw fish swimming, birds flying, animals looking for food along the shore, and 

other people using the river. Their dad made sure to steer clear of the other people, because this is 

part of river _________________________________ , which is another word for manners.

On their drive home David and Carrie were talking with their parents about their trip. “Did you both 

have fun on this trip?” Mom asked.

“Yes!” They both said.

“We are pleased you followed the rules of the river and had a great time,” Dad said. “So are we!” 

said David and Carrie.

Activity 3: Help Us Finish A Story...
Rivers are fun to explore and enjoy. 

They are valuable because they 

carry water and nutrients to areas 

all across the earth. They play an 

important role in the food web.

They also provide homes for all 

kinds of fish, wildlife and plants. 

Rivers supply water for drinking, 

water for our farmers’ crops, and 

waterways for boats.

Rivers also play an important role 

in our country’s history. Famous 

explorers like Lewis and Clark used 

rivers as waterways to navigate from 

the central plains to the Pacific 

Ocean starting in 1804. Here on the 

Farmington River, in the olden days, 

people explored the river and found it useful for power to 

help make things in mills like furniture, brooms, and iron 

products and tools.

Why do you like exploring rivers? ______________________

_______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

5

Activity 4: Exploring Rivers

The River’s Food Web

Illustration by Katrina Scheiner

Explorers on an Expedition

Broom Mill, Pleasant Valley
6 

Activity 5: Investigating Free Flow of the River

Free-flowing means the river’s water moves naturally. The river’s water is not held 

behind a dam, is not diverted and caused to flow in a different direction or place, or 

changed in a way that spoils the river’s special features.

Look at the water behind the Goodwin Dam in the reservoir and notice that the water 

is not flowing like a river. Then look below the dam at Riverton Bridge—after the water 

leaves the dam it is again free-flowing all the way down to Canton 14 miles downstream.

Here is an example of a river that is free-flowing versus a river that is not free flowing. 

Do you think fish can pass by the dam?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Think about how some fish migrate, or travel upstream, to lay their eggs. They need to 

be able to move up and down stream to live. These fish are often food for birds, wild 

animals, and humans all along the river.

Why do you think it is important to keep some rivers free-flowing 

instead of dammed?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Free Flowing

Illustrations by Katrina Scheiner

Dammed water flow

Illustrations by Katrina Scheiner
Rivers have been great resources for thousands of years. 

They can be used for transportation, drinking water, 

water for crops and livestock, and can be used to power 

a mill by turning its water wheel.

Before steam engines and electric motors were used, 

many people used the river to power their mills and 

factories. They even harvested ice from the river to 

keep their food cold.

There were many different types of mills and factories on the Farmington River. These 

included furniture factories, iron forges, sawmills, gristmills (for grinding grain), and 

textile mills.

Match the name of the mill or factory to the picture of the product that the mill or 

factory would make by drawing an arrow.

7

Activity 6: Mill Raceways and River Power

Rogers Rake factory, Pleasant Valley
8

Look at the map on the inside cover of this booklet to find the approximate 

locations for the Lighthouse Site, Camp White, Squire’s Tavern, and the 

Peoples State Forest Nature Museum. 

The Farmington River is famous for its rich history. A long time ago the Farmington 

River ran through lands where Native Americans lived and hunted. The river was also 

used by English settlers for power to run mills. In the 1930s, 

members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) came to the 

Farmington River area and built bridges, Camp White, and the 

Nature Museum.

Use the information available at the sites and your own ideas 

to answer the following questions.

What was the Lighthouse Site used for?

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Who lived in Squire’s Tavern?

_______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Why is it so important to preserve rivers and 

the sites around them that have lots of history?

____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Activity 7: Visit Historic Sites 

The Peoples State Forest Nature 

Museum, Pleasant Valley

Old Hitchcock Chair Factory, Riverton

Squire’s Tavern, Pleasant Valley
The Farmington River is called a recreational river because it provides many easy ways 

to get into the river and enjoy it. It is also close to buildings, roads, and people. It is also 

widely known for its trout fishing and for tubing in Satan’s Kingdom.

The next activity has to do with recreation on the Farmington River, and about all the 

interesting things you can do while 

you’re visiting and completing 

your booklet.

Unscramble the words below, 

and place them in the puzzle to 

show a list of activities on the 

Farmington River.

9

Activity 8: A Recreational River

Unscramble the words in the word box, and place th

puzzle to show a list of activities on the Farmington 

 F_ _ _ _ _ _

 _ A_ _ _ _ _ _

 R_ _ _ _ _

 _ _ _ _M_ _ _

 _ I _ _ _ _

 _ _ _ _N_

_ _ _ _ _G

 T_ _ _ 

 _ _O_ _ _ _ _ 

_ _ _ _ _N_

pimangc _____________________ ihifnsg _____________

rtou _______________________ ngwiro _____________

kki ii 

Unscramble the words in the word box, and place them in the 

puzzle to show a list of activities on the Farmington River!

 F_ _ _ _ _ _

 _ A_ _ _ _ _ _

 R_ _ _ _ _

 _ _ _ _M_ _ _

 _ I _ _ _ _

 _ _ _ _N_

_ _ _ _ _G

 T_ _ _ 

 _ _O_ _ _ _ _ 

_ _ _ _ _N_

pimangc _____________________ ihifnsg __________________________

rtou _______________________ ngwiro _________________________

gnaykaki ____________________ ccnipi __________________________

smnwiigm ___________________ kiihgn __________________________

inikbg tainflgo 

Here’s a bonus activity for 

you and your family to do.

When you’re out here 

visiting and exploring, take 

some pictures of you doing 

your favorite activities on 

and around the river. You 

can do lots of things with 

these pictures like make a 

scrapbook, create a story, or 

hang them on your wall as a 

reminder of how much fun it is 

to get outside and play.
10 

At Matthies Grove Picnic Area, walk down to the river’s 

edge and pick a good place to just sit and watch the river.

Get as comfortable as you can, but don’t forget to bring 

your booklet and a pencil. For about 10 minutes just sit 

and watch the river. Listen for all the different sounds that 

are around the river.

Pick up some rocks and flip them over, what do you see?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Sit on the river bank, close your eyes and listen. What do you hear?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Now, describe what you experienced. Write a poem or a story, or draw a picture 

of what you have seen and heard. 

______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Activity 9: Up Close to the River—High Bank Rapids

High Bank Rapids, Pleasant Valley

Photo Credit: Fred Jones
11

One of the most popular spots for anglers to fish is the Church Pool in Pleasant Valley 

right by the metal arched bridge. Do you see many people fishing there today?

________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Now it’s time for you to fish for some words. This pool 

has a bunch of words that have to do with fishing, plus it 

has a few different types of fish that are in the Farmington. 

See if you can find some fish or really go fishing when you are done.

What is your favorite kind of fish that lives in the Farmington River?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Remember, look up, down, diagonally, and backwards for the words. They’re hiding 

in some pretty cool places.

Atlantic salmon

Brook trout

Catch

Catfish

Cold water 

Eggs 

Fishing pole

Fly fishing 

Life vest

Lures 

Mussel

Net 

Release

Rocky bottom

Activity 10: Fishing at Church Pool

Church Pool, Pleasant Valley

Photo Credit: Richard English
12

Every park, river, lake, and forest is affected by humans and nature each day. In order to 

do your part in protecting these areas it is best to “take only pictures, and leave 

only footprints.”

Try to think of the river and how many people use it every day. Now imagine a 

few of the scenarios below and describe what would happen if these scenarios 

were true.

Activity 11: Greenwoods Fishing Area
If you were living in the olden days, how would you use the river?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Write or draw about it here.

Now, think about how your use of the river would affect the river. Would the 

fish or animals be affected? Would the river’s course (the natural path it takes) 

be changed?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Write about what might happen here:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

13

Activity 12: Remnants of Greenwoods dam

The Old Greenwoods Dam, New Hartford
14

The river is full of all different kinds of people and animals that use the river for play 

and survival. It is best to try to get along with the others using the river and practice 

good manners. This is called using river etiquette.

Can you find your way through the maze without disturbing the other users?

Activity 13: Satan’s Kingdom

Photo Credit: Fred Jones

n Satan’s Kingdom, New Hartford
Part of being a Junior River Ranger means being a good river steward, but what 

does a good river steward do?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

River Stewards help protect rivers—especially Wild and Scenic rivers. They work 

with local people to keep rivers clean and free flowing. They also help protect unique 

features and resources along a river.

So what can you do?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Here are some ideas:

• Pick up trash with a friend or organize a trash clean up day. 

• Learn about five plants or animals that live near your local river. 

• Get your school involved in a river appreciation day.

• Try to conserve the amount of water you and your family use at 

home.

• Keep a log of how many different types of wildlife you see 

around your river.

• Share what you’ve learned and what you’ve experienced 

with your friends, family, and teachers.

Why do YOU think it’s important to protect rivers?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

15

Activity 14: Becoming a River Steward 

River Clean up volunteers

Photo Credit: FRWA
Congratulations!

Recreation

16

You’ve just completed your Junior River Rangers activity booklet for the Farmington 

Wild and Scenic River.

What were some of your favorite places on the river?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

What was your favorite animal or bird to see?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Now, bring your booklet to the Austin Hawes 

Campground office, Peoples State Forest Nature Museum, 

or call 860-379-0282 to set up a time to come to Squire’s 

Tavern (or make a copy of your booklet and send it to 

our mailing address is P.O. Box 395, Pleasant Valley, CT 

06063—please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope) 

and a River Steward will check your book and award you 

with a Farmington Wild and Scenic River—Junior River 

Ranger certificate and badge!

Thanks for spending time to enjoy and learn about 

protecting the Farmington Wild and Scenic River! Squire’s Tavern, Pleasant Valley

Austin Hawes campground

Photo Credit: Liz Lacy

Photo Credit: Carl Favata
17

River Stewards 

This booklet is published in fond memory of two of the Farmington River’s best river stewards ever!

Pat Keener

Pat Keener was a teacher by 

training and a team builder 

by nature. She was a “Pied 

Piper” and brought in many 

volunteers to help protect the 

Farmington River. Pat lived 

right beside the river in 

Pine Meadow and enjoyed 

sharing her love for it. She 

was the leader of FRCC 

for many years.

Walt Landgraf

Walt was the go-to person for 

learning about the Farmington 

River and its surroundings. In 

his work life, he taught biology 

at Regional 7 High School in 

Winsted. In everyday life, Walt 

was a teacher of the cultural and 

natural history around us. He was 

an inspiration to all who knew 

him to learn more and work hard 

to get things done.

Photo Credit: Liz Lacy

Photo Credit: Fred Jones

Design by GoldsmithCommunications.com
Upper Farmington Wild and Scenic River

Farmington River Coordinating Committee

100 East River Road

PO Box 395

Pleasant Valley, CT 06063

(860) 379-0282

www.farmingtonriver.org

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Photo Credit: Tom Cameron

With your help, the upper Farmington River will be protected forever.