New dock and kayak/canoe launch installed on Cochecho River in Dover, NH thanks to LWCF grant

The City of Dover, NH was awarded a $150,000 federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant in September 2015 to improve boat and water sports access to the Cochecho River, located near downtown Dover. Truslow RC was hired by the City Recreation Department to prepare the federal LWCF grant application on their behalf. The funds were requested to develop and improve outdoor recreation facilities and public water access at the Cochecho River Park, formerly used by the city for their wastewater treatment facility, city farm, a jail, among other uses. The centerpiece of the project was a floating dock near the shore for recreational rowers and boaters as well as the UNH Rowing team. This site allows access to a deep-water channel area on the tidal portion of the Cochecho River.

In 2018 the new dock was installed which, according to Dover Recreation Director Gary Bannon, makes it much easier for residents to use the river for fishing, boating and other recreation which allows the city to follow through on its commitment to improving public access along the river. The overall cost of the project was $314,000 with the $150,000 LWCF grant covering the cost for design, installation and permitting of the dock and shoreline access. The match was provided by the City and the Great Bay Rowing Club. The public dock features a kayak/canoe launch, equipped with an ADA approved ramp with rollers, to facilitate easy access to the river, and is a small but critical piece of the city’s ongoing plans to improve this 37-acre waterfront property.

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