The basic pattern of a river system and the water power that it provides can be compared to a tree with its trunk, limbs and branches. Every river had a trunk, or main stream, its tributaries, or limbs and its smaller tributaries or branches. Water falls to the ground as snow or rain in the highlands and flows down forming tiny riverlets that become streams. Some of the water is evaporated back into the atmosphere, the rest seeps into the ground. The water that seeps into the ground becomes underground streams that feed the lakes. The overland flow forms streams that join others forming larger streams, eventually joining a main river and finally emptying into the ocean. (slide 1)
The West River’s source can be traced to both Bethany and Hamden. (slide 2 ) Over the years the course of the river has changed. Some of these changes were made by nature but most changes were man-made. Many of the lakes on the system were built by dam construction on the river. The purpose of this construction was to develop a surplus drinking water system for the area. Most of the West River system today is under the control of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority. (slide 3)
A good example of lake construction is Lake Dawson located on Litchfield Turnpike in Woodbridge. (slide 4) When the water is low in the lake you can still see the remains of stonewalls that divided the farm land in the area. (slides 5 and 6) Other lakes, ponds and streams no longer exist. The Geologic Map of the New Haven and Woodmont Quadrangles shows the amount of land, along the West River, filled in by the City of New Haven over the years. (slide 7) A specific example would be the Hygenic Ice Ponds that at one time existed off of Fountain Street. (slides 8 and 9) LESSON ONE
In observing the West River system today and trying to picture what was, we must take all these things into consideration. By studying early maps and pictures and piecing together the information it becomes clear for example why there is less water in the river today. (slide 10) Filling, straightening, home construction and dam building all have contributed to cutting off of the water supply of the West River.