Big River 2024

This access site is on Johnson Pond, next to the bridge that divides Johnson Pond from Reynolds Pond. Since Johnson Pond is built up and also tends to be a busy place in the summer, most paddlers who put in at Zeke's Bridge will want to head south under the bridge right next to the boat ramp, into Reynolds Pond. This bridge is low enough to keep larger boats from getting into Reynolds Pond and Reynolds Pond is also too shallow for fast boats. Reynolds is a beautiful winding pond with a mix of white pines and cedar swamps along the shore. It is largely within Big River Management Area so the shoreline is undeveloped. At the far end of Reynolds Pond you can keep going under I-95 (the tunnels under the highway are long but you can see the other end from the start) and on up Big River.
Deborah Britt: One of my favorite paddles is Big River in Coventry. Despite its name, Big River is mostly narrow, a series of loops and turns that meander through freshwater marsh. It’s an up-close experience with red-wing blackbirds, phoebes, herons and more, along with a dazzling array of dragonflies. The river eventually runs under the I-95 overpass, and paddlers get a break from navigating the curves as they pass under those huge arches. This waterway is best enjoyed early in the season.
Requirements to attend this paddle
· arrive 1/2 hour prior to posted launch time
· light
· whistle
· recommend smaller kayak up to 14 foot due to the twist and turns throughout the river (no inflatables or SUP's)
· Coast Guard approved PFD (inflatable PFDs are not allowed)
· bilge pump
· appropriate clothing for the water temperature
· Event start time is in your boat, in the water, and ready to paddle! You will need to transport your boat a few hundred feet, from the parking lot to the beach to launch.
Suggested
We strongly recommend that you bring along the following:

• drinking water
• food -plan to bring a lunch, we normally break for lunch prior to the return
• sunscreen
• a change of dry clothes in a dry bag
• familiarize yourself with the area prior to paddling
• check weather conditions for wind speed direction and tides

Any paddle sport is an assumed risk sport. Some aspects of canoeing and kayaking involve the risk of serious injury or death. Southern New England Paddlers (SNEP) although safety conscious, cannot guarantee your personal safety in our Meetup activities..