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48-844: The headwaters of the Farmington River consist of the East and West Branches. The West Branch begins at the outlet of Hayden Pond in Otis, Massachusetts , while the East Branch begins in Hartland , Connecticut, at the confluence of Pond, Hubbard and Valley Brooks. The East Branch has been impounded along the first 11 miles of its course by the Saville Dam to create the Barkhamsted Reservoir and Lake McDonough, exiting

96-570: A 68-foot (21 m) dam with a hydroelectric generator and a fish ladder , dams the river at Windsor, a few miles before the river flows into the Connecticut River. A number of other dams have been built on the river since European settlement, usually to power mills and other industry. A few, such as in Collinsville, are still mostly intact. The Collinsville Renewable Energy Promotion Act (H.R. 316;113th Congress) would instruct

144-422: A household in the town was $ 45,972, and the median income for a family was $ 57,083. Males had a median income of $ 36,875 versus $ 24,271 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 27,628. About 1.3% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including none of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over. Sandisfield employs the open town meeting form of government, and

192-782: Is Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield and Great Barrington. The nearest state college is Westfield State University . The nearest private college is Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, with other private colleges in Springfield. Sandisfield, Massachusetts Sandisfield is a town in Berkshire County , Massachusetts , United States. It is part of the Pittsfield , Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area . The population

240-728: Is also popular with tubers, and the Crystal Rapids section in Collinsville and Unionville, Connecticut, which offers 4 miles (6.4 km) of Class 2 waters. The west branch of the river includes two hydroelectric dams in West Hartland and Colebrook , run by the Metropolitan District Commission of Connecticut . The largest dam on the east branch is the Saville Dam , which impounds the Barkhamsted Reservoir . The Rainbow Dam,

288-1029: Is currently represented in the United States Senate by senior senator Elizabeth Warren and junior senator Ed Markey , both Democrats as well. Otis, along with neighboring Sandisfield, Tolland and Becket, is part of the Farmington River Regional School District. The district's only school, Farmington River Elementary School, houses students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grades. For the upper grades, most students attend either (1) Great Barrington -based Monument Valley Regional Middle School and Monument Mountain Regional High School or (2) Lee Middle/High School. Proximity to private schools located in Lenox, Great Barrington, or Westfield allow alternatives to public school. The nearest community college

336-533: Is led by a board of selectmen . The town has its own small police station, as well as a post office and two volunteer fire stations (in New Boston and west of the town center). The town's library is connected to the regional library systems. The nearest hospitals are in Great Barrington and Westfield. On the state level, Sandisfield is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives by

384-576: Is marshy. Just west of the town center is Otis Ridge Ski Area. Most of the population is around the reservoir and the center of town. Otis lies at the intersection of Massachusetts Route 8 and Route 23 . Route 8 was once part of the New England highway network , as the Stratford - Waterbury - North Adams Route. Route 23 is known as the Knox Trail, with a historical marker along the route in

432-698: Is part of the Farmington River Regional School District. Until 1998, the town ran its own school, but budget cuts closed it. The district's only school, Farmington River Elementary School, is in Otis, and houses students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grades. For the upper grades, most students attend W.E.B. DuBois Regional Middle School, Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington, Lee Public School Districts, and Mt. Everett Regional High School in Sheffield. The nearest private schools are in Great Barrington, Lee and Westfield. The nearest community college

480-597: The Farmington River rises in the town, heading southward towards the Connecticut River . The southeastern part of town is dominated by the Otis Reservoir and Big Pond , as well as portions of Tolland State Forest and Otis State Forest. The highest points in the town are to the north, with Church Hill to the east and Kingsbury Mountain to the west. Much of the land around the brooks of town

528-618: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue licenses to the town of Canton, Connecticut , to restart two small power dams along the river. The bill passed the United States House of Representatives on February 12, 2013, but has not yet become law. Water released from or flowing over the Otis Reservoir dam enters the Farmington River just north of Reservoir Road in Otis, Massachusetts. Significant quantities of water are released during

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576-532: The Massachusetts State Police . On the national level, Sandisfield is represented in the United States House of Representatives as part of Massachusetts's 1st congressional district , and has been represented by Richard Neal of Springfield since January 2013. Massachusetts is currently represented in the United States Senate by senior Senator Elizabeth Warren and junior Senator Ed Markey . Sandisfield, along with neighboring Otis,

624-551: The Massachusetts State Police . Kris McDonough serves as the Chief of Police and Director of Emergency Management for the town. Richard Phair serves as the Fire Chief. On the national level, Otis is represented in the United States House of Representatives as part of Massachusetts's 1st congressional district , and has been represented by Democrat Richard Neal of Springfield, Massachusetts since January 2013. Massachusetts

672-717: The Massaco , a sub-tribe of the Tunxis , who were affiliated with the Wappinger . The name Tunxis, a word in the Quiripi family of Eastern Algonquian languages , derives from the indigenous term Wuttunkshau for "the point where the river bends". Halfway through the course of the river, in a floodplain in the town of Farmington at the base of the Metacomet Ridge , the flow of the Farmington River changes its direction to

720-527: The Yellow lampmussel , which is found only in the mainstem of the Connecticut from Turners Falls, MA downriver to Windsor, CT. Otis, Massachusetts Otis is a town in Berkshire County , Massachusetts , United States. It is part of the Pittsfield , Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area . The population was 1,634 at the 2020 census . The town was incorporated in 1810, created when

768-595: The Younger Dryas indicate the presence of the earliest peoples to populate the region that would become known as southern New England . In the winter of 2019, the remains of the site were excavated in Avon , along with stone tools and artifacts constructed from materials in neighboring regions. The upper Connecticut and Farmington River valleys were the lands of the Native American indigenous people called

816-806: The Fourth Berkshire district, which covers southern Berkshire County, as well as the westernmost towns in Hampden County. In the Massachusetts Senate , the town is represented by the Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin district, which includes all of Berkshire County and western Hampshire and Franklin counties. The town is patrolled by the Otis Police Department, as well as the First (Lee) Station of Barracks "B" of

864-506: The Fourth Berkshire district, which covers southern Berkshire County, as well as the westernmost towns in Hampden County. In the Massachusetts Senate , the town is represented by the Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin district, which includes all of Berkshire County and western Hampshire and Franklin counties. The town is patrolled by the Sandisfield Police Department as well as First (Lee) Station of Barracks "B" of

912-822: The Massaco was subsequently purchased by the Dutch. This and its settlement during the era of the Connecticut Colony are described in the early history of Simsbury . The Spoonville Dam, built on the Farmington River in 1899 below the Tariffville Gorge in East Granby , was breached in the Flood of 1955 and remained as a partial dam for several decades before being removed in July 2012. The dam, as well as

960-803: The West Branch and main stem. It also hosts a robust population of wild, stream-born trout, which have been found to account for roughly 40% of the river's trout population. The West Branch, in particular, has developed a reputation as one of the best trout streams in the Northeastern United States, owing largely to being a bottom-release tailwater which remains cold, well-oxygenated and especially conducive to sustaining coldwater fish species year-round. The unique "Survivor Strain" brown trout, selectively bred at state hatcheries to be supremely adapted to Connecticut's waters, relies on annual collections of high-quality wild and holdover trout from

1008-783: The West Branch. The river has several whitewater sections that are popular for tubing and kayaking. One of these, the colloquial "Upper Farmington" section of the West Branch in New Boston, Massachusetts , is about 7 miles (11 km) long. It is Class 2 through farm and woods scenery to an iron bridge, where kayak and canoe slalom races are held. A second whitewater section is found in Tariffville, Connecticut , consisting of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of technical Class 2 and Class 3 water with heavy currents. Other whitewater areas include Satan's Kingdom in New Hartford, Connecticut, which

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1056-419: The age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. Of all households, 24.3% were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 2.9. In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under

1104-464: The age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.2 males. The median income for a household in the town was $ 51,488, and the median income for a family was $ 55,455. Males had a median income of $ 41,065 versus $ 30,179 for females. The per capita income for

1152-587: The bridge crossing the Farmington River downstream at Route 187 , derived its name from the silver plating factory erected in 1840 on the north bank of the river. It was the first factory of its kind in the United States. Several bridges constructed in the 19th century and early 20th century still span the Farmington River to this day. Among these are: The Farmington River is among Connecticut's most heavily stocked trout streams, with over 50,000 brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout planted in 2022 throughout

1200-501: The county and 312th in the Commonwealth. There were 1,572 housing units at an average density of 43.9 per square mile (16.9/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 96.56% White , 0.59% African American , 0.29% Native American , 0.88% Asian , 0.37% from other races , and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.29% of the population. There were 567 households, out of which 26.6% had children under

1248-701: The eastern part of town. Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike ) passes through the northern edge of town twice, with the nearest exit being in Lee . There is no rail, bus or air service in town, with the nearest being in Pittsfield and Westfield . The nearest national air service is at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut . In a typical year temperatures in Otis fall below 50 °F (10 °C) on 205 days. Annual precipitation averages 48 inches per year, and snow covers

1296-683: The fall in order to drop the reservoir water level for the winter. Much of the Farmington River has been designated as part of the United States National Wild & Scenic Rivers System . The first such designation on the river was bestowed in 1994 and included 14 miles of water, mostly along the Farmington River West Branch but also a section of the river's main stem, from Hartland to the New Hartford - Canton town line. In 2019, this designation

1344-595: The ground 69 days (or 18.9% of the year) .The humidity is below 60% for approximately 18.4 days (or 5% of the year). As of the census of 2000, there were 1,365 people, 567 households, and 386 families residing in the town. By population, Otis ranks 19th out of the 32 cities and towns in Berkshire County, and 312th out of 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. The population density was 38.1 inhabitants per square mile (14.7/km ), which ranks it 18th in

1392-407: The late nineteenth century when a planned railway along the Farmington River fell through. Significant numbers of Ukrainian farmers moved in during the late nineteenth century, many of them running chicken farms . The Record was published from 1981 to 1985 and The Newsletter for a decade during the 1990s. The volunteer-run Sandisfield Times has been published 11 times a year since 2009. Today

1440-541: The latter in New Hartford , Connecticut, and joining the West Branch one mile south of the lake. Upper reaches of the river generally flow southward, but the river turns northward in Farmington, Connecticut , and runs mostly north and east until it flows into the Connecticut River in Windsor, Connecticut . Sites built adjacent to the river by nomadic peoples at the end of the last Ice Age , c. 12,400 years BP of

1488-476: The north, Blandford to the east, Tolland to the southeast, Sandisfield to the south, and Monterey and Tyringham to the west. Otis is 23 miles (37 km) southeast of Pittsfield , 30 miles (48 km) west-northwest of Springfield , and 116 miles (187 km) west of Boston . Otis lies in the southern end of the Berkshire Mountains , and is dotted by several hills. The West Branch of

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1536-556: The northeast, where it eventually joins up with the Connecticut River in Windsor . When Europeans first arrived, the "Tunxis Sepus" territory consisted of a 165-mile square area bounded by Simsbury to the North, Wallingford to the South, to the northwest by Mohawk country, and on the east by the current towns of Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield. In 1645, the Town of Farmington, Connecticut

1584-578: The northwest section of the forest. A small portion of Otis State Forest also crosses the northern border of town. The town lies along Massachusetts Route 8 , which passes along the banks of the Farmington River on the eastern part of town. Route 57 crosses through the center of town from west to east, crossing the river into Tolland at the village of New Boston. Route 183 passes through the southwest corner of town, crossing into Connecticut to become Connecticut Highway 183 . The nearest interstate, Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike ) passes north of

1632-501: The river, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection , Metropolitan District Commission , National Park Service , Farmington River Watershed Association and Farmington River Anglers Association. The Farmington River and its tributaries are known to contain 11 species of freshwater mussels . The Farmington has the highest mussel species diversity of any tributary to the Connecticut, lacking only

1680-615: The southeast corner of Berkshire County along the Connecticut border, with Hampden County to the east and Litchfield County, Connecticut , to the south. Sandisfield is bordered by Otis to the north and northeast, Tolland to the east, Colebrook and Norfolk, Connecticut , to the south, New Marlborough to the west, and Monterey to the northwest. Sandisfield lies 28 miles (45 km) south-southeast of Pittsfield , 32 miles (51 km) west of Springfield , and 118 miles (190 km) west-southwest of Boston . Sandisfield lies in

1728-602: The southeastern part of the Berkshire Mountains , along the western banks of the Farmington River . The town is on a plateau, with the Buck and Clam rivers flowing through town towards the Farmington, as well as several small, marshy brooks and small ponds and lakes. The town is dotted by pieces of the Sandisfield State Forest , with the highest point in town, Abbey Hill (1,810 ft or 550 m) lying in

1776-501: The town is mostly rural, and one of the least densely populated parts of the state. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 53.0 square miles (137.2 km ), of which 51.8 square miles (134.2 km ) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.0 km ), or 2.22%, is water. The town is the largest by land area in Berkshire County, and eighth largest in the state. Sandisfield lies at

1824-514: The town through Otis, with the nearest access being in Lee and Westfield . There is no rail service in town, with the nearest rail and bus service being in Great Barrington . The nearest local airport is in Great Barrington, and the nearest national air service can be found at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut . As of the census of 2010, there were 915 people, 327 households, and 212 families residing in

1872-403: The town was $ 25,029. About 4.6% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over. Otis uses the open town meeting form of government, and is led by a board of selectmen and an administrative assistant. The current Board of Selectmen consists of Bill Hiller, Larry Southard, and Gary Thomas. All four of

1920-540: The town was 96.84% White , 0.49% African American , 0.12% Native American , 0.12% Asian , 0.36% from other races , and 2.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population. There were 327 households, out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who

1968-555: The town's main offices, including the town hall, police and fire departments and the town library, are located at the center of town, as is the central post office. A second post office is located in East Otis. The library is a part of the regional library systems. The nearest hospital, Noble Hospital, is 20 miles (32 km) away in Westfield. On the state level, Otis is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives by

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2016-411: The town. By population, Sandisfield ranks 23rd out of the 32 cities and towns in Berkshire, and 330th out of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. The population density was 15.7 people per square mile (6.1/km ), which rank third to last in the county, and eighth to last in the Commonwealth. There were 647 housing units at an average density of 12.4 per square mile (4.8/km ). The racial makeup of

2064-631: The unincorporated town of Loudon annexed the adjacent District of Bethlehem in 1809. It was named after Harrison Gray Otis , an influential lawyer, financier, and politician in revolutionary Massachusetts. Colonel Henry Knox passed through the town in January 1776, bringing cannons from Fort Ticonderoga in New York to aid in ending the Siege of Boston , a route now known as the Knox Trail . The town

2112-454: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.99. In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 31.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 115.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.9 males. The median income for

2160-402: Was 989 at the 2020 census . Sandisfield was first settled in 1750 as Housatonic Township Number 4, and was officially incorporated in 1762. It was most likely named to honor Lord Sandys, a British colonial official—pronounced "Sands". The town was mostly agricultural, with rye fields and orchards filling the land. There were several sawmills built along the rivers, but most industry failed in

2208-458: Was a farming community, with several small mill industries growing along the waterways, and today is mostly rural with some tourism. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 38.0 square miles (98.5 km ), of which 35.6 square miles (92.1 km ) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km ), or 6.55%, is water. Otis lies along the eastern border of Berkshire County with Hampden County , bordered by Becket to

2256-559: Was extended 1.1 miles further downstream to the confluence with the Nepaug River . Most of the Farmington River main stem and the Salmon Brook tributary system, totalling 61.7 miles of additional water, were also designated Wild & Scenic in 2019. The Farmington River Coordinating Committee oversees the implementation of management plans for the designated runs of the Farmington River and includes representatives from towns along

2304-567: Was named by the Connecticut General Assembly, and this was re-affirmed in 1650 by the execution of a deed by the General Assembly and the reservation of land for the "Tunxis Indians" near "Indian Neck" on the east bank of the Farmington River. A group of twenty wigwams existed in Farmington at the beginning of the eighteenth century, but only four or five families resided in the settlement by 1761 The land of

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