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Ashuelot, NH

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3. Ashuelot to Hinsdale (Lower Ash)

Class II-IV
3.5 Miles
Avg Gradient 55 fpm
Max Gradient 80 fpm

Lower Ash put in


Lower Ash put in
Photo of Bershire AMC by Mark Lacroix taken 5/2/04 @ 1100 cfs

Gauge Information

Ashuelot
med
6.01
7/25 13:45

Min Sug. Level:  4.5 ft Max Sug. Level:  7 ft

River Description

Technical info

Put in elevation........430'
Take out elevation......239'
Total drop..............191'
Average drop/mile.......55'
Distance................3.5 miles
River width average.....85'
River water quality.....Poor to fair, water clarity fair.
Scenery.................poor in spots, a few factories along the way. 

Directions


Put in

From Keene NH take NH route 10 south for approximately 13 miles. Take a right onto NH route 119. About 2 miles to the put in just upstream and river right from the Ashuelot covered bridge.
From Interstate 91 in Vermont take exit 2 onto route 9 into downtown Brattleboro. Take a right then follow the signs to NH 119. Follow NH 119 approximately 8 miles to the put in.

Take out

From the put in take NH 119 west 3.5 miles into downtown Hinsdale. Look for a small dirt parking area next to the river. The new owner of the warehouse at the take-out in Hinsdale is friendly to paddlers, but requests that we park head-in by the picknick table, so as not to block a truck backing into a dock at the rear of the building.

Description


The river is broken up into three sections. Each section is seperated by a dam which must be portaged. The upper section is a nice warmup class II. The second gets a little more difficult... up to class III. The last section is the toughest...class III-IV depending on water level. The McGoldrick Dam was removed by the NH Department of Environmental Services in 2002 thereby eliminating one portage on the lower section.
Only two portages left since the other dams have either been washed out or removed. The first portage is between the Class II and III section. The second between the III and IV.

This river holds water very well since it is at the bottom of a huge watershed, it is usually one of the last rivers in New England to be running during the spring.

Flood of 2005

On October 9th of 2005 the Hindsdale gage peaked out at well over 10000 cfs from the remains of a tropical storm that inundated southwestern New Hampshire.  Flood damage along this section is significant and still being evaluated at this time.  Apparently the two dams (upper and lower Robertson dams) were breached during this hydroligical event.  There are also reports of paper mill machinery washed into the river.  Be aware and paddle with care. 

 


StreamTeam Status: verified
Last Updated: 2005-10-18 20:31:04

Search Results

Photos/Videos 1- of 2

Lower Ash put in


Lower Ash put in  Ashuelot NH
(17.01KB .jpeg)

First of the Third


First of the Third  Ashuelot NH
(17.77KB .jpeg)

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Gauge

Gauge Description:

The river level info is from the 18-year-old AMC River Guide. Judge the quality of the information accordingly.

 River Flow information

Gauge: USGS (Hinsdale) Minimum level: 4.5’/750 cfs

Low: 4.7’/810 cfs

Medium: 4.9’/1000 cfs

High: 5.5’/1500 cfs

ASHUELOT RIVER AT HINSDALE NH [ NH ]

Current Conditions

Stage Flow Updated
6.01 2160 7/25 13:45

Station Graphs


Linked Reaches

Search Results

Level Legend: Running Below Minimum Recommended Flow Above Maximum Recommended Flow Unknown
Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State River Name/Section Class Level Rel. Level Updated
NH Ashuelot— 3. Ashuelot to Hinsdale II-IV 6.01 ft   med 7/25 13:45
NH Broad Brook— Above Powerlines to Lower Ashuelot IV+ 6.01 ft   med 7/25 13:45

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:148
USGS Station:01161000
HUC:01080201
Latitude:42.7853
Longitude:-72.4867
Class:6

WXPort

News





Guidebooks



Classic Northeastern Whitewater Guide : The Best Whitewater Runs in New England and New York
$19.95


Let it Rain: A paddlers guide to northeastern US and Canada
$39.95

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Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
0.0Section 1II
1.6Section 2III
2.2Section 3III+Photo

Rapid Descriptions

Section 1 (Class II, Mile 0.0)
This is a fine warmup. Put in just upstream of the Ashuelot covered bridge. The run from here is an easy class II for approximately 1.5 miles to the backwater of the first dam. There is a line across the river warning boaters to carry around a dam. Take out on river left by the sign and carry around the dam by the old factory.

Section 2 (Class III, Mile 1.6)
This section has a bit more challenging water. It is also shorter only about a half mile. The best rapid is just above the flatwater as you approach another factory on your left. Once again take out and carry on river left. The put in below the dam is rather steep and difficult among boulders. It helps to have two people to lower boats below.

Section 3 (Class III+, Mile 2.2)

First of the Third

First of the Third
Photo of Mark B by Mark Lacroix taken 5/2/04 @ 1100 cfs

This is the toughest section of river on this trip. Just below the dam you will be passing a paper mill. There is a lot of trash in this area from that mill. Just below the factory bridge is the toughest rapid on the lower Ash. This is Papermill rapid. There is a rather clean straight line through this rapid just right of center. To the left is a series of holes that can swallow an open boat. The rest of this section is continuous class III+ water with little let up.


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Disclaimer Data Sources

EPA Surf This Watershed

USGS Page for This Station

NPS NH Rivers Inventory


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