Swift, New Hampshire, US

3. Lower Falls to Darby Field sign (Lower Swift)

Usual Difficulty	IV(V) (for normal flows)
Length	5.35 Miles
Avg. Gradient	84 fpm
Max Gradient	123 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
Swift stage gauge as a function of East Branch of Pemi flow
virtual-11109	1.50 - 4.00 ft	IV(V)	01h07m	~ 1.02847 ft (rc= -0.2 )

River Description

The lower Swift is the most sought after spring river in NH for intermediate to advanced boaters. The Swift drains the southeastern slopes of the White Mountains. The river is narrow only averaging 50 feet in most locations. You can put-in below the class V Lower falls in a relatively calm pool below. The first rapid after this is class IV then it calms down to class I-II water up to the Gorge (1.8 miles). From here on down the Swift once again calms down to class II until Staircase. After Staircase the river gradually gets steeper and more continous as you make your way downstream. It eventually builds up to a mostly continuous class III-IV with a few more difficult class IV's. This whole section looks and feels a lot like the Upper Yough in Maryland with blind obstructed drops through holes and pinning rocks. Most drops can be boat scouted but a couple should be looked at and carried if you feel uncomfortable, notably Lower Falls, Cabin Gorge, and Staircase. The Kancamagus highway parallels this entire section making for easy exit and entry points along the way. See also the Middle and Upper Swift.

Technical info

Put in elevation.......885'
Take out elevation.....508'
Total drop.............377'
Average drop/mile......70'......Including Lower falls
Distance...............5.35 miles
1st mile drop..........92'......Includes Upper falls and Blackberry
2nd mile drop..........23'......Includes Upper Cabin Gorge
3rd mile drop..........49'......Includes Lower Cabin Gorge and Staircase
4th mile drop..........75'......Includes Screaming Left Turn
5th mile drop..........101'.....Includes Race Course and House Rock
5.35 mile drop.........37'
River width average....50'
River geology..........large granite boulders, some ledges at falls
River water quality....Excellent, crystal clear
Scenery................Excellent mountain and forest scenery.
Wildlife...............Some deer, moose, perrigrine falcons, tourist

Directions

Put in

From Interstate 93.
Interstate 93 to exit 32. State route 112 (Kancamaugus Highway) east for approximately 28 miles.
Approximately 7 miles pass Bear notch road look for the pull off for Lower Falls Scenic area.
From NH route 16.
Take a left on NH route 112 (Kancamaugus Highway), head west for approximately 7 miles to Lower Falls Scenic area.
Bathroom facilites located here may not be available before early May.

Take out

Head east towards Conway on the Kancamaugus highway for 5.5 miles.
Park off the road shoulder at a sign that reads "Darby Field....". There is a road that leads up to a hotel and condominiums across from the sign.
Note: At the put-in it will be necessary to have a White Mountain National Forest parking sticker . These can be purchased at the information center just off exit 32 on Interstate 93 on the west end of rt 112 (Kancamaugus Highway). Or at the National Forest Service information center at the intersection of NH routes 112 and 16 on the east end of the Kancamaugus highway. It is also possible to buy a day pass from the self service kiosk located at the Lower Falls recreation area.