The Connecticut River is New England's largest river ecosystem and one of the nation's 14 American Heritage Rivers. From Fourth Connecticut Lake at the Canadian border the Connecticut River crosses the state from north to south, passing several major cities of Connecticut, including Hartford, to empty 410 miles later into Long Island Sound. Its watershed reaches over 11,000 square miles in parts of four states -- Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.
The Connecticut River Watershed Council and other environmentally concerned groups maintain a protective eye on the health of this river system.
