An invitation to visit

Each spring when the shadbush blooms, New Englanders have the opportunity to view an incredible natural phenomenon. Americanshad, Sea Lamprey, Atlantic salmon and other anadromous fish swim up the Connecticut River as they begin their annual spring migration. Driven by instincts as old as time, adult fish return to spawn in the rivers of their birth.

The fishlift at HG&E’s Robert E. Barrett Fishway helps migrating fish over the dam. It was the first and most successful fish lift on the Atlantic coast.

It consists of two elevators or “lifts” which carry migrating fish up and over the Holyoke dam. Visitors can watch the lifts in action from an observation deck overlooking the Connecticut River. After the fish are lifted, visitors can witness their migration as they swim by the viewing windows and continue their upriver journey.

2013 Hours of Operation

Open May 8 through June 16, 2013
Wednesday through Sunday
9 am - 5 pm
Also open Memorial Day (Monday, May 27)

School Tours

The Robert E. Barrett Fishway is staffed by knowledgeable and friendly guides who are available to share information about anadromous fish and restoration efforts. The Barrett Fishway also offers free educational programs for schools. Reservations for school groups are required.

For 2013 school tour information email hgefishlift@gmail.com.

Admission is free

2013 Fishway Brochure
(opens in a new window, requires Adobe Acrobat to view)
Science Teachers Manual: HG&E's Robert E. Barrett Fishway

Fish Counts

Current fish counts

See historical fish counts at the Barrett Fishway from 1965-2012.(requires Adobe Acrobat to view).

For updates on fish counts call the US Fish & Wildlife Service's Fish Passage Hotline, call (413) 548-9628.

Media Inquiries

Contact Kate Sullivan, Marketing Coordinator, (413) 536-9333, ksullivan@hged.com.

Directions to Fishway:
Traveling north or south on Route 91:
Take exit 17 (Rte. 141 Holyoke Center/South Hadley) and follow signs to Rte. 141 East towards Holyoke. Stay on Rte. 141, bearing right at the second set of lights. Continue on Rte. 141 for six more lights, turning left at the 6th onto Main Street (Rte. 116N which turns into Canal Street).

Turn left at the fishway sign just before the South Hadley Falls Bridge.

Traveling south on Rte. 116
Cross the South Hadley Falls Bridge. Take an immediate right into the fishway entrance.