Wild and Scenic Westfield River

In the upper Westfield River Watershed, 78 miles of river are designated "Wild & Scenic " by the National Parks Service (NPS) for their remarkable nature. The NPS Wild & Scenic designation seeks to, "preserve, protect and enhance the special qualities and outstanding resources of the Westfield River Watershed in concert with local communities."

WRWA and Wild & Scenic Westfield frequently partner on projects, events, and regularly host summer interns together.
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See Wild and Scenic's Website for more information.

Wild & Scenic Westfield River

Established by the U.S. Congress in 1968, the National Wild & Scenic Rivers system protects "certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish & wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values." To be considered "Wild & Scenic," a river must have at least one outstanding natural, cultural, historical, or recreational feature.

Explore the Watershed with our interactive map!

The Westfield River became Massachusetts' first National Wild & Scenic River when forty-three miles were designated on November 2nd, 1993. Today, the designation has been expanded to encompass over 78 miles of the Westfield River's three major tributaries and headwater streams.
As a state-administered Wild & Scenic River, the Westfield River is unique in that the management of the National Wild & Scenic River designation is accomplished through locally-based, state and federal protection.