Ammonoosuc, New Hampshire, US |
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| Usual Difficulty | II-IV (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 7.3 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 40 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 79 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMMONOOSUC RIVER AT BETHLEHEM JUNCTION, NH | ||||
| usgs-01137500 | 3.10 - 6.00 ft | II-IV | 01h24m | 1.57 ft (rc= -0.5 ) |
Put in elevation........1167'
Take out elevation......875'
Total drop..............292'
1st mile................32'
2nd mile................7'
3rd mile................79'
4th mile................46'
5th mile................26'
6th mile................33'
7th mile................46'
7.3 mile................23' (77 average)
Average drop/mile.......40'
Distance................7.3 miles
River width average.....70'
River geology...........Small to medium granite boulders
River water quality.....good to excellent, clarity good.
Scenery.................Nice Mountain scenery, river parallels
road most of the way
Wildlife................Deer, hawks, moose, beavers.
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 River Flow information |
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Gauge: USGS (Bethlehem) Minimum level: 3.1Â/429 cfs |
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Low: 3.7Â/660 cfs |
Medium: 5.0Â/1380 cfs |
High: 5.5Â/1800 cfs |
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Waterline: 1-800-452-1737 site code: 331114 |
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| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMMONOOSUC RIVER AT BETHLEHEM JUNCTION, NH | ||||||||||||
| usgs-01137500 | 3.10 - 6.00 ft | II-IV | 01h24m | 1.57 ft (rc= -0.5 ) | ||||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8y290d15h54m | Ammonoosuc [NH] |
Powerhouse rapid
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3.7' | Mark Lacroix |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 | Powerhouse Dam |  | |
| 2.0 | Powerhouse Rapid | IV |  |
| 2.7 | Maplewood | III | |
| 6.0 | Alderbrook rapids | IV | |
| 6.8 | Railroad rapids | III |
Powerhouse rapidShortly downstream from the dam powerhouse rapid starts. The river narrows and pushes up against the left bank. The gradient is rather steep over large boulders creating a lot of turbulence with several holes to avoid. Scout from river right.
Maplewood BridgeAn easy rapid the starts just above the Maplewood bridge. At the tail end of the rapid is a chute formed by a large rock on river right. The main flow at low to medium water levels pushes over a pourover in the middle of the chute. The pourover is easily avoided by catching the eddy behind the rock on river right. From here a jet ferry will carry you above the pourover into an eddy on river left. This eddy affords great access to a series of nice surfable standing waves just below the pourover.
AlderbrookAfter a long section of quickwater and class I the river approaches Alderbrook rapids. To recognize the start of Alderbrook look for a gray box like house on river right at a class II rapid. Note, in LesselÂs New England Whitewater guide this house is said to be pink, it has not doubt been painted since that writing. The rapid is not easy to describe so scouting is recommended, it generally requires a boater to start on river left move to river right then back left. Scouting is easiest from river left; portaging is easiest from river right.
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5. Pierce bridge to NH 116, Ammonoosuc 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. 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,