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Cavendish Gorge near Cavendish: informal river swim access—confirm posting, parking, and manager guidance locally.

The Black River squeezes through a historic hydropower reach east of Route 131—bedrock slots, aerated drops below small dams, and woody debris after warm-sector storms make the gorge feel mild from the bridge but powerful at water level.

Cavendish village sits where the Black River leaves the Okemo foothills; Route 131 links Ludlow and Springfield while utility corridors and town forests crowd the gorge rim.

Songbirds, ducks, and anglers may share the corridor—give wildlife space and follow leash rules where posted.

Riparian trees and shrubs stabilize banks—stay on durable surfaces and avoid cutting new paths.

Pack out trash, respect private land and farm edges, and follow trail or town posting. Cavendish Connects and Vermont DEC postings cover trail work, dam safety zones, and volunteer cleanup days.

Town of Cavendish municipal site and local listservs often carry faster updates than statewide maps when Route 131 parking is rerouted.

• Mapped coordinates (~43.3894°N, 72.5617°W) follow the USGS river point in Cavendish—cross-check against the pull-off you actually use.
• Live river graph uses USGS 01153000 (Black River at North Springfield—**proxy** upstream on the same river) when configured—trend only, not depth at your feet.
• Cross-check facts on signs and official pages when stakes are high.