Pemigewasset, E. Branch,

Joe surfing below Potash

Joe surfing below Potash
Photo of Joe Damboise by Mark Lacroix
@ 1.6 bridge gauge

Gauge Information

River Description

The East Branch of the Pemigewasset is a natural flow river best run in late April and May with the snowmelt from the high peaks of the White Mountains.

The river gets its start in the mountainous federally designated wilderness area upstream from the put-in. As a result the water is clean, clear, and usually cold when the river is running. Don't be fooled if the water looks too low; local river lore states that if it looks like there's enough water then it's probably too much!!!

This river is a classic New England run. Continuous whitewater, a few more difficult rapids, and lots of technical moves required. Many boaters consider this river one of the best regularly run rivers in New England.

With the exception of a few bigger rapids on either side of Loon Mountain, the entire run is similar in character. (Although some purists claim that the upper section, reachable only by walking upstream is the best.) The river is relatively wide (85') for a New England river. It is strewn with car (and larger) sized boulders. These boulders create extreme turbulence during high water. The rapids are continuous and at high water all blend all together for a long class IV-V run. Any swim at high levels may result in the loss of one's boat as it is quickly swept many miles downstream. Be aware because of the nature of this river, boulders (even large ones) move and shift every spring changing the river character.

The Upper East Branch of the Pemigewasset run starts below Franconia Falls at the confluence of Franconia Brook and the North Fork of the Pemigewasset. To reach it you must walk/carry/drag your boat up the Wilderness Trail three miles along the river. The upper section is a bit more technical and unforgiving then the lower sections. Additionally the riverbed is more wide open, requiring a bit more water to paddle.

If a long walk just to paddle a beautiful river doesn't appeal to you, then start your run (as most do) on the middle section of the East Branch at the Lincoln Woods Parking Area (sometimes called the Wilderness Parking area.) This section benefits from the added water coming in from the Hancock Branch just below the put-in.

The lower East Branch (starting at Loon Mountain) holds its water a little longer than the upper (ie, it can be paddled at slightly lower levels). The river bed narrows somewhat allowing for less choice of passages. You will notice a lot more civilization in this section. Condos, ski area base lodges, and parking lots are found along much of the run; even a hidden sewage treatment lagoon located between the takeouts. Still, the river is pretty, seems secluded in most spots, and has a few nice swimming holes. During late spring weekends the scenery basking in the sun on warm days is especially nice.

Scouting the Rapids

Loon Mountain Rapid is the only section where scouting is required. The rapids immediately above and below Loon Mountain require more caution for the boater new to the river, as does the fourth major drop in the upper section. The rest of the river can be easily boat-scouted. Indeed, given the large number of drops and the changing nature of the river each year, it is impossible for one to know what is coming and each run is always a new experience.

Strainers, obstructions, and other hazards.

Culvert Rapid, a short distance above Loon Mountain has a large steel pipe (culbert) in the middle of the channel at the bottom. It's easly avoided as long as you know it's there.

At the bottom of Loon Mt. Rapid there is a large curved steel plate in the center of the right main channel of the river. The upstream end appears to be into the riverbed and the downstream end is up on a rock, so it just looks like a pour-over from upstream. From downstream you can see it is a large curved plate similar to the culvert plating in Culvert Rapid, but not a full section and not sticking up as much. It is located about 10 to 20 yards downstream of rapid section shown in the photo on the AW site description of Loon Mt. Rapid, at the last drop just before the left "sneak" route rejoins the main flow.

Three new strainers in Potash Rapid, above Loon Mountain - (04/04)

Since the beginning of April 2004, three strainers have fallen into the lower part of Potash Rapid (about 1.1 miles downstream of the Lincoln Woods put-in) on the E Branch Pemi. Two of the strainers, a Birch and an Evergreen, fell some time the week before 4/25 and the third, a tall dead Spruce, fell some time the week before 5/9. The branches of the dead Spruce can be seen sticking up well above the river as you approach that part of the rapid. Some of the branches of the dead Spruce stick down into the water and are close enough together that it is not possible to get a boat through. The trunk is far enough above the water that it looks possible to duck under it before the first branch, but the other two strainers are just downstream and stick out quite a bit beyond that. At low levels, portaging or lining on the left side of the channel is advised. At medium and high levels, it might be possible to maneuver around the strainer to the left, but scouting first is advised as rocks choke the left side of the channel.

(Thanks to Tommy T. and Norm R. for the above info.)

Fast rises/falls, flash flood potential

Note that the steep mountainous watershed causes the river to rise and fall rapidly. During periods of heavy rain the river can rise especially fast. This may catch old hands by surprise who expect a few hours of delay before any rain takes noticable effect.

An example is shown below (taken from the USGS Lincoln Gage). Note that in the space of only 15 minutes the flow increased by over 500 CFS; the increase over a two hour period was almost 2000 cfs, peaking at almost 3000 CFS before dropping back over the subsequent four hours. The Woodstock gage several miles downstream showed the same pattern of increase/decrease delayed by 20 minutes.

Date                    CFS      Level
2000.05.13 23:45:00     1190     2.85
2000.05.13 24:00:00     1160     2.82 <<< Flash flood starts
2000.05.14 00:15:00     1680     3.22 <<< 15 min 500 cfs increase
2000.05.14 00:30:00     1900     3.38
2000.05.14 00:45:00     2150     3.56
2000.05.14 01:00:00     2340     3.68
2000.05.14 01:15:00     2720     3.92 <<< Next hour 1000 cfs increase

2000.05.14 02:00:00     2860     4.01

2000.05.14 02:45:00     2910     4.03 <<< Peak

2000.05.14 03:00:00     2560     3.82
2000.05.14 04:00:00     2500     3.79
2000.05.14 05:00:00     2170     3.57
2000.05.14 06:00:00     2180     3.58
2000.05.14 07:00:00     1960     3.43 <<< Drops off over four hours

Technical info

Put in elevation........ 1410'
Lincoln Woods elevation. 1178'
Loon Mountain elevation.  943'
Upper takeout elevation.  817
Lower takeout elevation.  688'
Total drop..............  722'
Average drop/mile.......   81'...Including Loon Mtn rapids
Distance................  8.9 miles
Upper East Branch
  Mile 0-1 drop.........   93'...Starting just below Franconia Falls
  Mile 1-2 drop.........   55'
  Mile 2-3 drop.........   74'...Ending at Lincoln Woods Parking Area
Middle East Branch
  Mile 3-4 drop.........   63'...Includes Hancock
  Mile 4-5 drop.........   95'...Includes Potash
  Mile 5-5.4 drop.......   69'...Includes Culvert and Loon Mtn Rapids
Lower East Branch
  Mile 5.4-6.4 drop.....   89'...Includes Gov Adams
  Mile 6-4-7.4 drop.....   67'...Includes Mill Dam
  Mile 7.4-8.4 drop.....   84'...Incl South Mtn Rapid & Lincoln Bypass
  Mile 8.4-8.9 drop.....   15'
Upper section width avg (not measured)
Middle section width avg 85'
Lower section width avg.55'
River geology...........Medium and large granite boulders, some ledges,
                        smaller boulders near lower section take out,
                        some ledge
River water quality.....Excellent, crystal clear upper and middle
                        sections; some degradation on lower section
                        after Lincoln sewage treatment plant (between
                        first & second takeout) at lower water levels.
Scenery.................Excellent mountain and forest scenery on Upper
                        & Middle sections. Good mountain scenery, ski
                        area, and condos line the banks most of the
                        lower section. Some old dam remains on lower
                        section with log cribbing and some rebarr.
Wildlife................Occasional deer, moose, tourist

Food, lodging, gas, etc.

Food: McDonalds, pizza and sub shops and more expensive eating establisments located in Lincoln.
Lodging: Many hotels and motels located in Lincoln and Woodstock.
Campgrounds: Hancock campground, located just before the put in on route 112, is run by the National Forest Service is open year round has nice wooded tent and small camper sites with picnic tables, modern outhouses, pump water, no electricity. Lost River Campground located 4 miles west of exit 32 on route 112 is a familly campground with all the amenities. Wooded sites with electricity, water available at sites. Sites for tents and campers of any size. Open early May until Columbus day.
Gas: There are several gas stations in town at the exit but it is expensive. The further south on 93 you get gas the less expensive it is. Exit 20 in Tilton (40 miles south) has the cheapest gas in the region.
Etc. Franconia Notch 6 miles further up interstate 93 has many hiking and biking trails, scenic areas such as the Basin, Flume, Cannon Mtn Arial Tramway. Rock climbing on Cannon Mountain. There are several outdoor shops in Lincoln. Outback Kayak located at the Mill marketplace on route 112 has paddling equipment.

Map of the Upper Pemigewasset Region

Upper Pemi Region

Map by Mark Lacroix