Glacial Potholes

At the end of Deerfield Avenue below the hydroelectric dam lie the potholes, an incredible geological wonder. Over 50 glacial potholes are clustered in one of the largest known concentrations of these natural sculptures. Ranging in size from as small as 6 inches in diameter to the largest pothole on record - 39 feet across - the variety of shades revealed in the metamorphic rock layers make it one of the most beautiful spots in Western Massachusetts.

Viewing the Potholes

Salmon Falls and the famous Glacial Potholes in the village of Shelburne Falls may be viewed from the observation deck at the end of Deerfield Ave. Access to the river is restricted due to hazardous conditions and numerous injuries. Special river access arrangements may be requested of the Shelburne Board of Selectmen for geology classes, environmental programs, and other group instruction.

How were the potholes formed?

When the last glaciers melted, the Connecticut River Valley was flooded, creating a huge lake - Lake Hitchcock. As the lake drained, it swelled the flow of the Deerfield River. The river, carrying in its rushing waters a large load of stones, sand and mud, began to erode the hard metamorphic rock over which it flowed.

Potholes formed when stones trapped in cracks in the riverbed were twirled and vibrated in the fast-moving current, drilling their way into the river bottom. If you look carefully, you can see some of the rounded stones that carved out these potholes.

In fact, they are still carving them. The process continues slowly, especially in the Spring when the melting snow again swells the river and the rushing water turns the stones and they continue their boring into the rock.

Want to know more? Read about the geology of this area.

Bridge of Flowers

Every year visitors from around the world stroll across the Bridge of Flowers and enjoy the beauty of this unusual garden - the only one of its kind in the world. Last year more than 24,000 visitors signed the guest book. The Bridge of Flowers is meticulously tended by the Shelburne Falls Women's Club. Over 500 varieties of flowers, vines and shrubs assure a 400-foot span of continual blooming from the pastel tulips of April through the last blazing chrysanthemums in October.

Why flowers on a bridge?

The Bridge of Flowers started out as a trolley bridge in 1908. The Shelburne Falls & Colrain Street Railway trolley hauled freight between the rail yard in Shelburne Falls and several textile mills in Colrain. It delivered milk and mail, carried workers to the mills and children to the movies at the Memorial Theater in Shelburne Falls.

The railway went out of business in 1928 when trucking took over the freight business. But, the last surviving trolley car, found in a farmer's field, has been wonderfully restored to its original condition. Take a ride on old No.10 at the Trolley Museum!

In 1929, funds were raised to transform the abandoned trolley bridge into a bridge of flowers. Its upkeep still depends largely on donations from the public and the hard work of the volunteers who assist the paid gardener.