On August 28th, 2011 Hurricane Irene struck New England. The resulting floods caused extensive
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,

boated this river today and I found the section between the put in and otter rocks to definitely
passable for a 12ft Esquif Nitro the east branch was pumping at 6000 when I made the ferry to the
Hancock campground. A really fun run that kept me on my toes the whole way. Edit

Five of us ran this river when the East Branch of the Pemi was at about 8000 cfs (very high). Four
were in kayaks, I was in an open boat. The steepest part of the run is the put in down to Otter
Rocks, which is too tight for an open boat.<br>
<br>
The river opens up considerably below Otter Rocks because of a sizable tributary at the Rocks. Most
of the run is boulder gardens with small to medium sized rocks, easy Class 5. There are two steep
ledgey type drops, one about 1/3 of the way down, the other about 2/3 of the way down. We portaged
the second drop because there is a very sticky looking hole at the bottom, which would be difficult
to avoid. Others have run this drop successfully, scout it first.<br>
<br>
There was a river wide tree just below water level in May 2001 about half way down the run, plus a
fair amount of smaller trees in other locations. Be careful.<br>
<br>
Open boaters: if you are running at very high water as we were, you should make the ferry across
the East Branch of the Pemi to the takeout at the campground starting at river right on the Hancock
immediately where the Hancock Branch meets the Pemi. I started about 100 yards downstream of the
confluence, and got swamped before I could finish the crossing. Alternatively, you could carry up
to the Kancamaugus Highway about 1/4 mile along the East Branch on river left.