Wyoming Dam Portage
Name of Project: Wyoming Dam Portage
Location: Guildhall, VT
River: Connecticut River
Type of Project: Paddling Boat Portage
Public Access: Yes
Date Completed: 2003
Size: 1 Acre
Water Frontage: 300′
Landowner: Town of Guildhall
Funding Partners: Connecticut River Joint Commissions, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife
Property Description: A small, well-defined path that provides nonmotorized boaters with a formal, safe take-out and portage around the breached Wyoming Dam on the Connecticut River.
Project Background: This area around the breached Wyoming Dam was a dangerous hazard for paddle boaters on the Connecticut River. In order to get around the area, boaters had to struggle up a steep bank, often causing erosion and unwelcome trespassing on private lands. Working with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, the Town of Guildhall, and a private landowner, VRC contracted with the Kingdom Corps of the NorthWoods Stewardship Center to create an attractive portage trail that includes granite steps, a gravel path, split-rail fencing, and plantings of northern white cedar. Signage along the route encourages responsible and safe use of the river and better relations between users and landowners. The formal access area now in place serves as a model for other sites along the river that might be established at appropriate locations through similar cooperative efforts.
Directions: The portage is around the Wyoming Dam just downstream of the Guildhall/ Northumberland Bridge which connects Route 102 in Vermont with Route 3 in New Hampshire.
