Pemigewasset, New Hampshire, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | II(III) (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 1.6 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 25 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 35 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEMIGEWASSET RIVER AT PLYMOUTH, NH | ||||
| usgs-01076500 | 400 - 3000 cfs | II(III) | 21d23h30m | 657 cfs (rc= 0.1 ) |
River description.
There is a small parking area at the put-in near Ayers Island dam. There is a porta poty located
here along with trash cans. Additional parking can be found at the top of the dam where a hiking
trail leads down to the put-in parking lot.
The river is about 1-1/2 miles long with three distinct play spots. The first big drop is about
1/4 mile downstream with a medium size sidesurfing hole (Rodeo Hole)it is not for novices to play
in. Run right at this point. Downstream 100 yards there is a good surfing wave depending on
level. The river from this point to the take out is mostly small rapids with a few oppertunities
for surfing a sidesurfing. The last rapid is a series of reactionary waves and holes caused by
protruding ledges on a long sweeping right turn. The last ledge at the take out is probably one
of the best summer time play spots in NH with a great sunning and spectating rock to go with it.
Depending on level it is either a sidesurfing hole, surfing wave, and or ender spot.
You can takeout at the Pemi Park & Play or just slightly downstream at a ledge. This take-out
is easier for canoes and rafts. It also leads up to a small parking area on Coolidge Woods road
which has new porta poties maintained by Public Service company of NH.
Put in elevation........370'
Take out elevation......331'
Total drop..............39'
Average drop/mile.......25'
Distance................1.6 miles
River width average.....120'
River geology...........small boulders and granite ledge
River water quality.....fair to good, clarity fair, sewage treatment dumps in
below rodeo wave.
Scenery.................Good forest scenery. Not many signs of civilization
except for dam and bridge.
Wildlife................Occasional deer, hawks, osprey, fishermen. Good trout
fishing.
Interstate 93 north to exit 23.
Left on state rt. 104 (west) towards Bristol.
Approximately 4.5 miles, look for a baseball field on the left.
There will be a yellow playground sign just before you get there.
Take a left here and go around the ball field towards the recycling
center.
Drive past the entrance to the town garage, sewage treatment
facility, and recycling center. The road at this point turns to a
rough dirt road descending steeply to the small parking area at the
base of the dam. Note new handicap accessible outhouse.
Directions to the take out:
As of the Fall of 2009 a new bridge opened to replace the metal truss bridge that used to cross
the river from Bristol to New Hampton. This cuts the shuttle down to 2 miles from the 8
miles we had to endure over the last couple years.
Head back out to NH rt 104 and take a left toward Bristol.
In the center of town at the intersection of rt 3a take a left then another immediate left in the town square.
Take the right (downhill) at the fork.
Follow the road down over the bridge then take a right on Coolidge Woods road (dirt).
Approximately 1/3 mile to take out. Look for
vehicles parked at the
play spot. Or take out a little further down stream where the river
flattens out.
In the summer of 2006 a new river access path was put in by PSNH. It is accessed from the same
parking area. The path leads a short distance downstream from the old put in. The path is made up
of crushed stone and has an even grade all the way to river level. This is a great improvement
over the continually shifting rock jumble we used to put in at.
In 2003 Public Service Company of New Hampshire installed an artificial osprey nest at their
Ayers Island hydro facility. Since that time a nesting pair of Ospreys have taken up residents to
raise their chicks for the last few years. This Nest is visable from the putin. Look to the river
left side of the dam to view the telephone pole platform with a large nest on top. In the summer
of 2006 PSNH installed a webcam so we can
view the nest at anytime.
This entire section is regulated by Ayers island hydro dam at the put-in. The USGS gauge referred to above is located upstream of the dam in Plymouth NH. When this gauge exceeds 1300cfs, water is just about guaranteed in Bristol. Water is available at other times when this guage is below 1300cfs but Ayers Island Hydro regulates releases below the dam. This is a peaking power station so levels sometimes rise and fall without warning. To get the latest best guess level information call after 7pm the day before (603) 634-3569 for a recorded phone message. You can call the dispatcher for specific info 603-669-4000.
To find out if the Pemi has been releasing recently go to the Army Corps of Engineers Franklin Falls flood control dam webpage and look at the last reading under the "inflow cfs" heading. Unfortunately there is a several hour delay between the release at Ayers Island and the reading on this webpage. Use it only to get a recent release history.
There are four Summer releases of at least 900 cfs that were negotiated during dam relicencing a few years ago. Usually one weekend in July and another weekend in August.
400 cfs ......minimum scratchy level
600 cfs.......very low
800 cfs.......low
1100 cfs......low to medium
1500 cfs......medium
2000 cfs......medium high
2700 cfs......high
3400 cfs......very high
>6800 cfs.....Pemibec
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Note: The 20th annual and last MVP Pig roast was held in August of 2008. The Brunning farm has been sold so there is no longer an open invitation to camp at the farm as we have been able for the last quarter century.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEMIGEWASSET RIVER AT PLYMOUTH, NH | ||||||||||||
| usgs-01076500 | 400 - 3000 cfs | II(III) | 21d23h30m | 657 cfs (rc= 0.1 ) | ||||||||
|
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pemigewasset (Bristol) [NH] |
Katrina at the Pemi Park & Play
|
800 cfs | Mark Lacroix | |
| 8y179d14h14m | Pemigewasset (Bristol) [NH] |
Pemi fly by
|
1700 cfs | Mark Lacroix |
| 8y180d14h14m | Pemigewasset (Bristol) [NH] |
Patrick Rogers
|
n/a | Mark Lacroix |
| 8y214d14h14m | Pemigewasset (Bristol) [NH] |
Charlie Walbridge
|
n/a | Mark Lacroix |
| 9y255d14h14m | Pemigewasset (Bristol) [NH] |
Joe surfing at Brunning's
|
1600 cfs | Mark Lacroix |
| > 10 years | Pemigewasset [NH] |
Playspot at takeout
|
n/a | Joanne Grogan |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Map of the Lower Pemi region |    | |
| 0.3 | Wourthen's | II+ | |
| 0.3 | Rodeo Hole | II+ |  |
| 0.4 | Rodeo Wave | II | |
| 1.3 | Coolidge Run | II | |
| 1.5 | Pemi Park & Play | II | |
Rivers of the lower Pemigewasset regionThe first big drop is about 1/4 mile downstream with a medium size sidesurfing hole (Rodeo Hole)it is not for novices to play in. Run right at this point. After the first few small class I-II rapids from the put-in, the river widens and slows down. You will notice a ledge protruding from the left bank (Wourthen's Rock) forcing the river to the right. Get out and scout on these ledges or run to the far right to avoid "Rodeo Hole". The rapid continues for about 1/5 of a mile with waves and turbulance and a few rocks to avoid. Just downstream from the middle of the rapid you will notice the river takes a slight jog to the left between another set of ledges, eddy out river left below the ledges to catch a nice surfing wave.
Nice sidesurfing hole located at the very top of Bruning's. Approach the top of Bruning's at the horizon line about river center. The hole turns into a surfing wave just right of river center. There is no convienient eddy to hop in and out of the hole so it will be necessary to catch it on the fly then return by carrying back over the ledges from the river left eddy just slightly downstream. The hole is best at about 1300 cfs, below this level down to 800 cfs the hole gets stickier and shallower so watch your head should you flip upstream. There is also a nice surfing wave that can be accessed from an eddy just downstream. It is best at 800 cfs to 1500 cfs.
Joe surfing at Brunning'sThe last rapid is a series of reactionary waves and holes caused by protruding ledges on a long sweeping right turn. The last ledge at the take out is probably one of the best summer time play spots in NH with a great sunning and spectating rock to go with it.
Katrina at the Pemi Park & Play reach
state
reachlink
5) Ayers Island Dam (Bristol) to Coolidge, Pemigewasset 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. The Pemi Bristol section was run shortly after the storm and found to
be clear of any debris with little noticeable change in river features, rapids, etc. However, the
large wood/tree pile that has been building up at the first drop for many years has washed out. It
is now easier to scout or portage this drop.
the putin. Most people know there is a very nice path on the New Hampton (paddler's left) side of
the river that makes it easy to drag or carry a (light) boat from the bridge to the first drop. If
you ferry across the river from there you can take back out at a small pebble beach just before the
first drop on the right side of the river. From there go about 20 feet uphill and you will
magically appear on a lawn that appears to be maintained by Public Works. You will see a fence that
makes it look like you are behind a locked gate but before you get to the fence you will be on the
road near the recycle center. It appeared to be pedestrian friendly and I did not see any posted
no-trespassing signs but it would be prudent to show the area the full respect one would show any
private property just in case.
<p>
You can scout this on your way to the putin also. When you get to the recycle center take a right
instead of the left you usually take then the field will be on your immediate left. You can drive
half way down the field on the roadway then take the short walk to the river. As with any outdoor
area take precautions against natural hazards such as ivy, ticks, etc.
</p>