FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release
Contact:
Walter Opuszynski, Forest Recreation Specialist
Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation | Agency of Natural Resources
(802) 522-6022, Walter.opuszynski@vermont.gov
Waterbury, Vt. (October 6, 2022) – The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation will be installing a new overflow parking area at the Blush Hill boat access area this fall. The boat launch is located at the end of Blush Hill Road in the town of Waterbury and allows for motorboat and paddle craft access to the Waterbury Reservoir. The work is scheduled to take place from the first week of October through the beginning of November. The new overflow parking area will have seven stalls available for trailered vehicle only parking and one accessible parking stall. The overflow parking area will also have a space dedicated to an accessible port-a-potty for the high-use season.
The launch will still be accessible during the construction period, although it is recommended that you use extreme caution when driving through the construction area and follow the guidance from on-site flaggers. During the week roadside parking will be limited. The construction work will take place weekdays from 7:30am to 5:30pm. People are encouraged to use the Waterbury Dam boat launch during this period to reduce congestion at the Blush Hill launch.
The overflow parking area is being constructed due to the increased use of the Blush Hill launch over the past decade. In 2019 Green Mountain Power supported improvements to the boat launch as part of the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) license requirements. On busy days parking lines the side of the access road and has caused congestion and issues with adjoining lands. The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation is currently acquiring data to direct future management actions but in the meantime, we ask that recreators accessing Waterbury Reservoir:
- Use the Waterbury Dam boat launch as your primary access, unless accessing from Waterbury Center. The Waterbury Dam boat launch has a larger overflow parking area.
- Carry-out what you carry-in. You are responsible for your garbage, please do not litter.
- Please do not use private roads or driveways for turnarounds.
When you do go out on the reservoir, please provide feedback using our survey online. Paper surveys can be found at survey boxes located at Little River State Park, Waterbury Dam Boat Launch, Blush Hill Boat Launch, Waterbury Center State Park, and Moscow Paddlers’ Access located off Cotton Brook Road.
Waterbury Reservoir is the ninth largest waterbody in Vermont, created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps as a flood control project. There are two State Parks and 30 remote campsites located on its shores and many people access the reservoir for boating, wildlife viewing, swimming, camping, and fishing each year. Waterbury Reservoir is almost completely surrounded by state land, managed primarily by the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation as part of the 44,444-acre Mount Mansfield State Forest.
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