Saco, New Hampshire, US
|
|
Crawford Notch to Bartlett (along Hwy 302)
| Usual Difficulty |
III-IV (varies with level) |
| Length |
6.2 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient |
49 fpm |
| Max Gradient |
78 fpm |
Saco River
Saco RiverPhoto by Mark L taken 04/27/03 @ 1.7'
Gauge Information
River Description
The Saco runs through the highest mountains in the northeastern US. It cuts through a steep valley
called Crawford Notch (a NH state park). Outside of the sustain spring melt off the Saco rises and
falls rapidly due to steep terrain in its headwaters. If snow is not present it will be necessary
to catch the river during or shortly after a heavy rainfall.
This section starts out at the base of an impressive gorge. This gorge is runable at certain levels
but should be scouted. Below the river is consistant class III at low levels. At higher levels this
section should be considered class IV due to its consistant gradient. Further down river the
consistant gradient turns to more of a pool drop nature with the pools getting larger as one heads
down. There is a couple of portions in this lower section where the difficulty increases namely
Sawyers rock and Tweedledum Tweedledee rapid. Both these rapids are visible from route 302 when
there is no foliage on the trees (mid Oct. thru mid May).
Technical info
Put in elevation........958'
Take out elevation......657'
Total drop..............301'
Average drop/mile.......49'
1st mile................78'
2nd mile................43'
3rd mile................47'
4th mile................40'
5th mile................35'
6th mile................50'
6.2 mile................8' (40' average)
Distance................6.2 miles
River width average.....35'
River geology...........Granite ledge, small to medium boulders
River water quality.....Excellent, clarity: excellent.
Scenery.................Good to excellent mountain scenery, a few homes and
camps on the lower reaches, route 302 occasionally
visible on river right.
Wildlife................occasional deer, moose, perrigrine falcons, hawks.
Directions
Put in
Interstate 95 to Spaulding turnpike (NH rt 16).
North through Conway up to the intersection 302/16 in Glenn (approximately 75 miles).
Go straight through the intersection and continue on route 302.
Approximately 12 miles look for a small parking area next to a grey house on the right about a mile
past the Sawyer River crossing.
Or continue another mile past an area where route 302 crosses Nancy Brook just after the Notchland
inn
Note: putting in here requires you to run or portage the class IV gorge just downstream.
Take out
Head back to the town of Bartlett on route 302.
Take a left at the blinking light.
Approximately .3 miles to the bridge. Take out located across the bridge on upstream river left.
The gauge is located on river right downstream side of bridge.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2009-11-02 02:03:51
Editors
Rowans Rapid
Sharon at Sawyer's Rock
User Comments
shape. We ran the river on Saturday Oct 1 at 1.0 on the bridge gage. T-dee / Tdum seemed a little
wider on river right. This made the move down the right side a bit more forgiving than before.
Steve Jacques, Bartlett, NH
St. and noted the following: (1) Large tree nearly all the way across river about 100 yds.
downstream of Davis Path put-in, just able to get by on river left. (2) There is a tree along river
left blocking the small eddy right at the top of the gorge entrance. It is not blocking the river
but don't plan on stopping there to scout. The larger eddy at the beach before the left turn well
above the gorge is clear. (3) There are branches/roots extending half way across river from river
left at the last drop in lower section of gorge. Also looks like there may be a log just below the
surface at this drop. Runable on right, but hazard if on left or capsized/swimming. The narrow
upper section was clear but I believe should always be scouted before running. (4) Many sections of
the river have minor changes with rock bars that have built up due to significant bank erosion in
some areas. (5) Tweedle Dum-Tweedle Dee is best run just right of center now, as medium size
boulders have been deposited along river right near end of the rapid. (6) The rapid in the right
hand turn after the last railroad bridge has been filled in on the right and scooped out around the
large rocks on the left, which now are more in the center. Should be interesting at higher levels.
(7) The class 2 section below this last big rapid has changed significantly in that a couple old
channels have been closed by rock bars and new ones dredged out. Not any harder, just different. A
lot of trees along banks, but none blocking river. (8) We were pleasantly surprised to find so few
strainers. It appears that the flood level was so high that the trees were pushed parallel to the
river and most are high on the river bank. Mike Cummings Glen, NH
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,
at a 2 foot level because the tree is just at the surface and difficult to see. ~The strainer as of
4/17/08 is no longer there.~ Edit