Take a kayak tour of this small, scenic and ecologically important waterway on the border of New London and Waterford, CT. Alewife Cove, which flows into Long Island Sound, serves as an important nursery for many species of fish and shellfish, as well as a source of food and habitat for many bird species, including blue heron, egret, osprey and shorebirds.
The cove is named for the alewife herring, which, along with blueback herring, once returned to the estuary in huge numbers each spring to spawn in upstream freshwater ponds. Today, their numbers are greatly reduced, as their passage (and that of paddlers) has been blocked by a dam at Niles Hill Road that was built in the 1970’s. A project that could result in removal of the dam is under consideration, as is the installation of a fish ladder that would allow herring to access their traditional spawning grounds.
Paddlers should note that Alewife Cove is very shallow due to large amounts of sand that washed in during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. An effort is currently underway to create and fund a dredging and restoration project for the cove. In the meantime, paddlers should plan on launching a trip on the upper stages of the tide, especially if they want to explore the upper parts of the estuary. A good plan is to paddle upstream near the end of the rising tide and return on the slack or dropping tide. Be forewarned: paddling upstream against a falling tide is hard work!
The upstream portions of the cove are surrounded by beautiful salt marsh teeming with life. Expect to see blue and white herons, egrets, and osprey, as well as ducks and a variety of wading birds. The cove is also home to blue crabs and shellfish, as well as striped bass.
If you are a more experienced paddler, you can navigate the jetty-lined inlet and enter the Sound, but be aware that this passage can be rough at times, with a very strong current. There is often good fishing near the mouth, along Ocean Beach, and around the nearby rocks, so bring a rod if you are so inclined.
A driving force behind the effort to restore, protect, and enhance Alewife Cove is the Alewife Cove Conservancy, which holds annual fundraisers and community paddle events. The group is also instrumental in bringing together members of both communities that share the cove, and helping to make the public aware of the estuary’s importance.
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Learn more about the outdoor offerings available in New London by watching the full episode here: • Episode 45: "Naturally...