Gale, New Hampshire, US |
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| Usual Difficulty | II-IV (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 67 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 90 fpm |
The Gale is a beautiful northern NH river. The river starts out class II and picks up in intensity as a boater heads downstream. The first mile is class II, the second mile is class II-III, the last mile is the class IV gorge section. The last mile is the toughest as the river cuts a deep narrow gorge through an old basalt lava dike. The change in geology is responsible for the ledgy nature of the gorge section. The gorge contains several class IV ledge drops.
Put in elevation........850'
Take out elevation......650'
Total drop..............200'
1st mile................50'
2nd mile................60'
3rd mile................90'
Average drop/mile.......67'
Distance................3.0 miles
River width average.....70'
River geology...........Medium to large granite boulders,
basalt schists ledge at the gorge
River water quality.....excellent, clarity good.
Scenery.................excellent northern spruce/fir forest scenery,
river is wild and isolated.
Wildlife................Deer, hawks, moose, merganzers, coyotes.
Interstate 93 to exit 38 (Franconia).
Left at the end of the ramp towards Franconia.
Right on NH 116 north at the stop sign.
1.3 miles take a left on Streeter Pond Road.
2/3rds of a mile take a left over the truss bridge on Crane Hill Road (dirt).
2/3rds of a mile past the open field into the woods park where the river comes close to the road.
Head back to Streeter Pond Road.
Take a left after the bridge.
Approximately 3 miles take a left on Sherman road.
Approximately 1/2 mile park on the rail trail just before the bridge over the Ammonoosuc River.
The Gale enters the Ammo about 1/8 of a mile downstream from this point. Carry up along the rail
trail.
Comments From Jeff Swett:
*RR=rising rapidly RS=rising slowly S=steady FR=falling rapidly FS=falling slowly |
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6y293d14h24m | Gale [NH] |
Scouting the gorge
|
3.5' | Bob Dunn |
| 9y307d14h24m | Gale [NH] |
Gale river source
|
Low to medium | Mark Lacroix |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Streeter Ledge | III+ |  |
| 2.0 | Upper gorge | IV | |
| 2.3 | Middle gorge | IV | |
| 2.6 | Lava rapid | IV | |
Below Streeter ledge
Gorge entrance
Shreder at Lava
Pat at Lava reach
state
reachlink
Franconia to Ammonoosuc, Gale New Hampshire, US (mobile)
User Comments
damage throughout the region, the worst in over 100 years. More than half the rivers in Vermont and
northern New Hampshire recorded their highest flow levels ever. Many roads, guardrails, power
lines, bridges, trees and other debris now litter several rivers throughout the region. River beds
have been scoured and changed course, many new strainers make navigation problematic at best and
downright dangerous at worse. Please realize that the river description you see here may not match
current situation after the floods. Use common sense and when in doubt scout especially on blind
drops. Also, if you run this river in the next year or so please comment on its navigability, even
if there are no problems this will be very helpful. Please report any new strainers or changes to
the rapids that will impact future boating. Thank you,
like a number of limbs underwater that could cause problems. Edit