Warner, New Hampshire, US

Melvin Mills to Warner

Sluice Dam on the Warner

Sluice Dam on the Warner
Photo of Rand Currier by Mark Lacroix taken 11/01/03 @ 778 cfs/2.8 bridge

Gauge Information

River Description

The Warner is a popular river located in central NH about a 20 minute drive northwest of Concord. It has a huge watershed resulting in a long season that starts in March and can last thru the end of May (or longer). The large wetlands in the headwaters also sometimes delay the effects of rain as well as extending the length of time the river is running.

This river is not what you think of in a typical New England whitewater river. It is drop-pool for much of the run with flatwater paddling between each of the major whitewater sections. The water is also darker then typical New England streams since much of the upper parts of the river pass thru wetlands. The geology is likewise a bit different; the rocks are sharp and solid, not the usual collection of loose piles of stones.

This is a highly technical river, narrow and shallow in the whitewater sections. The upper two-thirds of the run is mostly class III difficulty mixed in with several surfing waves and some class II sections. As you approach the gorge the pace quickens. Pinball Rapid is class IV at medium and higher levels, as are the Sluice Dam and Bridge Abutment sections immediately after. These however are just a warmup for the gorge.

One-and-a-half miles below the put-in is the Warner Gorge. The gorge is a wonderful series of tight drops one-immediately-after-the-other packed into a short-but-intense quarter mile. This section is the main event and the primary reason this river is so popular!!! Scouting is recommended for the first-timer; the gorge is easily reachable from the road. Just park at the Upper Take-out and walk upstream along an old road bed.

Immediately below the gorge is the Upper Takeout, followed by a 15 minute flatwater paddle to a runnable dam (closed boats only, too shallow for open boats), and then more flatwater paddling to reach a long, enjoyable class III rapid just above the middle takeout. [Note 4/25/07: The cable stretched across the top of the runnable dam has been removed by the owner (Thanks Pete!!!). It will be replaced during the summer months only.]

Beyond the last class III rapid is another 30 minute quickwater/flatwater paddle to the Waterloo takeout located by the old railroad station and a covered bridge. Starting just below the covered bridge is the final class IV section formed by the remains of another old mill and dam.

A typical run to the gorge takes an hour-and-a-half. The lower sections (Middle, Waterloo takeouts) add about 30 minutes each, the bottom section adds another 15 minutes. At medium or high river levels the lower sections are well worth the extra flatwater paddling.

Technical info

Put in elevation........635'
Take out elevation......492'
Total drop..............143'
Average drop/mile.......60'
Distance................2.4 miles
River width average.....25'
River geology...........schists small boulders some ledge
River water quality.....Good, clarity neutral to good.
Scenery.................Old overgrown mill and dam ruins; a number of
                        old bridge abutments from roads and railroads.
Wildlife................Deer, merganzers, hawks. 

Amenities

Gas/Convenience Stores..Several just off I-89 exit 9 interchange.
Nearest Restrooms.......McDonalds, just off I-89 exit 9.
Camping.................Many in region; none very close by.
Restaurants/Pizza/etc...Follow 103 north of I-89 into downtown Warner.

Regional Weather

Go here for a NOAA weather forecast.

Regional Map - Rivers of the lower Contoocook region

Rivers of the lower Contoocook region

Map by Mark Lacroix