Hatfield

Rain and snowmelt in Hatfield flows either directly to the Connecticut River or through the Mill River Watershed. Within Hatfield geographic boundaries, the Mill River, formerly known as Capawong Brook by the Native Americans, is incredibly variable. Just south of the Whately line, the Mill River was straightened as part of the construction of Interstate 91. Below this the river meanders naturally, wiggling back and forth across the landscape. Its slow flow and well-vegetated banks, however, prevent much erosion from occurring. [link to erosion]. Below Bridge Street, the river is inundated due to the dam near Prospect Street. This dam is the only remaining water power dam within the entire Mill River watershed; all the other dams are either for water supplies or recreation (Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, Northampton). This impounded area provides excellent opportunities for canoeing, fishing and hunting. At present, however, there is no formal public access. The dam is built on a natural rock outcrop of Triassic sandstones (200 million years old). Below the dam, the water loops past a town recreation area, behind private homes and farm fields, before entering a corridor of forest below Elm Street. This section, and especially the area near the confluence with the Connecticut River, is one of the best examples of floodplain forest found in Massachusetts.

For more about Hatfield, Massachusetts: http://www.state.ma.us/cc/hatfield.html
www.rootsweb.com/~mahampsh/towns/hatfield/index.html