Small vessels can anchor in the river abreast of Stratford, where the channel has an available width of about 500 feet. The harbormaster at Stratford controls anchorages and moorings, and has jurisdiction from the entrance of the river to the Shelton town line. Harbor regulations may be obtained from the harbormaster who may be contacted through the Stratford police or at the Town Hall. Stratford has several small-craft facilities.
Local small craft anchor near the east bank of the river at Devon, just north of the highway bridge, in depths up to 10 feet. A 40-foot marine railway at a small craft facility at Devon can haul out craft for engine and hull repairs; gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, and storage are available. In 1981, depths of 4 feet were reported alongside the facility.
Navigation:
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The Housatonic River rises in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and empties into Long Island Sound about 10 miles southwestward of the New Haven Harbor entrance. The head of navigation for all practical purposes is at the towns of Derby and Shelton, 11.5 miles above the entrance.
On the east side of the entrance to Housatonic River, a breakwater extends out from Milford Point across the bar and is marked at its south end by Housatonic River Breakwater Light 2A. The inner section of the breakwater is awash at high water.
A Federal project provides for an 18-foot dredged channel from Long Island Sound between the breakwater on the east and Stratford Point on the west upriver for about 4.3 miles to the lower end of Culver Bar.
Stratford is a town on the west side of the river 2.3 miles above the entrance. Devon is on the east side about 1 mile above Stratford.
