Branch of the Farmington River, and took eight years to fill. Just south of the Barkhamsted Reservoir is Lake McDonough, also known as the compensating reservoir and owned by the MDC. Originally created to ensure the riparian rights of downstream mill owners, this lake now serves the recreational interests of the surrounding area with beaches, boating, and fishing. The hamlet of Pleasant Valley contains the Pleasant Valley General Store, the Barkhamsted Elementary School, the Pleasant Valley Drive-In, the post office (ZIP Code 06063), and the town hall. The hamlet of Riverton holds a post office (ZIP Code 06065), the Riverton General Store, the Riverton Inn, the Royal Coachman Tavern, the Riverton Congregational Church, the grange, and the fair grounds. This is also the location of the annual Riverton Fair, which takes place the second weekend of October each year, and is Connecticut's last fair of the year. The West Branch of the Farmington River is designated as a Wild and Scenic River. It runs through the villages of Riverton and Pleasant Valley and hosts fishermen year-round in the catch-and-release section. On the opening day of fishing season each year, a fishing tournament is held in Riverton, drawing anglers from Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. On the National Register of Historic Places American Legion Forest CCC Shelter – west side of West River Road, American Legion State Forest (added in 1986) Barkhamsted Center Historic District – 119, 131 Center Hill Road; 2,5,6,8 Old Town Hall Road (added in 1999) Beaver Meadow Complex Prehistoric Archeological District (added in 1988) Lighthouse Archeological Site (5-37) (added in 1991) William Moore Jr. House – 5 Mountain Road (added May 14, 1999) Old Riverton Inn – 436 E. River Rd. (added in 1992) Peoples Forest Museum – Greenwood Road, Peoples State Forest (added in 1986) Riverton Historic District – (added in 2007) Union Church/St. Paul's Church – Riverton Road (added in 1985) References External links Official town website Barkhamsted Historical Society Towns in Litchfield County, Connecticut Populated places established in 1779 Towns in the New York metropolitan area Towns in Connecticut 1779 establishments in Connecticut