Cheshire
Land Trust
Commemorative marker placed by CLT in honor of Tom Pool for his efforts that led to the preservation of Roaring Brook
Roaring Brook has been described as the state's second highest waterfall. At 80 feet it is the highest single drop waterfall.
Kent Falls is a series of falls and cascades that drop some 250 feet.
To learn more about Connecticut waterfalls visit
Cheshire Land Trust
Preserving Land as a Living Resource Since 1969Roaring Brook Falls
Roaring Brook Falls is Connecticut's highest single drop waterfall. Cheshire Land Trust, under the leadership of Tom Pool, played a critical role in the Town's preservation of this important scenic natural area.
Roaring Brook Falls
Location: From South Main St.- Route 10, follow Route 42 to Mountain Road to Roaring Brook Road (2nd left).
Public Access: Yes - Parking lot at end of Roaring Brook Rd.
Hiking: Walk along town driveway to trail head. Trails are blazed and lead to Falls and Blue blazed Quinnipiac Trail that runs along Prospect Ridge from Cheshire / Prospect town line to Naugatuck State Forest and Hamden's Sleeping Giant State Park.
Description: (written by Tom Pool - 1979)
Arrowheads tell of early men who hunted the woodlands and fished the watercourse of what came to be known as Roaring Brook on West Mountain (southern extension of Peck Mountain) in Cheshire. Foundation stones tell of an old mill powered by the falling water of this stream. Tumble-down rock walls tell of early farmers. Cedar stumps tell of former pastures now overgrown with encroached forest. Earlier Cheshire residents could tell of coaches and buggies that brought holiday visitors to view the impressive 80-foot, aptly named, cascades that in flood can be heard a mile away.
For many years benevolent stewardship of this natural area was in private hands. Then came a time when possible fragmentation threatened to alter the character of the area. But this threat also provided an opportunity for a portion of the area to be taken into the public domain. Recognizing this opportunity, the Cheshire Land Trust enthusiastically sought and received support from local residents, town officials, students, and civic groups. It contributed funds of its own and catalyzed the acquisition of other resources from two local garden clubs. Significant gifts were received from Lawrence Copeland (owner of the property) and the George Dudley Seymour Trust, the Town of Cheshire, through its Parks and Recreation Department, shared further funding with the federal Heritage Conservation and Recreation Services, and so the natural area of Roaring Brook became a town-owned facility on December 7, 1978.
The watercourse draws upon a significant watershed on top of the basalt ridge. Its stream drops off the ridge in a main waterfall with similar cascades above and below; it flows on as a braided stream on an old delta, continuing on to join Willow Brook and Mill River.
The gorge area is covered by a thin veneer of glacial till overburden on top of the bedrock. The face of the scarp dips 30 to 40 degrees to the east.
The lowlands area - wet with marsh and open water - is a glacial spillway; it supports vegetation that is water-tolerant or water dependent. Westwards the soils vary from wet to dry, and the vegetation of evergreens and mixed hardwoods reflects the differences. The dry ridge top is dominated by chestnut oak. With such diversity of habitat, wildflowers and under story also vary in species and abundance.
Deer, fox, skunk, raccoon, muskrat, opossum, rabbit, squirrel, and chipmunk liver here. So do fish, amphibians, and reptiles. The forest songbirds are here, too, along with partridge and woodcock, hawks and owls.
This truly remarkable property now belongs to the community to preserve and enjoy.
