Ayers Island dam (Bristol) to Coolidge (Bristol Gorge)Class II(III)
1.6 Miles
Avg Gradient 25 fpm
Max Gradient 35 fpm
Jason at the Pemi Play Hole
Jason at the Pemi Play Hole Photo of Jason by Matt Allison @ 800 cfs Gauge Information
Pemigewasset
River DescriptionRiver description.There is a small parking area at the put-in near Ayers Island dam. There is a porta poty located here along with trash cans. Additional parking can be found at the top of the dam where a hiking trail leads down to the put-in parking lot. The river is about 1-1/2 miles long with three distinct play spots. The first big drop is about 1/4 mile downstream with a medium size sidesurfing hole (Rodeo Hole)it is not for novices to play in. Run right at this point. Downstream 100 yards there is a good surfing wave depending on level. The river from this point to the take out is mostly small rapids with a few oppertunities for surfing a sidesurfing. The last rapid is a series of reactionary waves and holes caused by protruding ledges on a long sweeping right turn. The last ledge at the take out is probably one of the best summer time play spots in NH with a great sunning and spectating rock to go with it. Depending on level it is either a sidesurfing hole, surfing wave, and or ender spot. You can takeout at the Pemi Park & Play or just slightly downstream at a ledge. This take-out is easier for canoes and rafts. It also leads up to a small parking area on Coolidge Woods road which has new porta poties maintained by Public Service company of NH. Technical info
Put in elevation........370'
Take out elevation......331'
Total drop..............39'
Average drop/mile.......25'
Distance................1.6 miles
River width average.....120'
River geology...........small boulders and granite ledge
River water quality.....fair to good, clarity fair, sewage treatment dumps in
below rodeo wave.
Scenery.................Good forest scenery. Not many signs of civilization
except for dam and bridge.
Wildlife................Occasional deer, hawks, osprey, fishermen. Good trout
fishing.
Break-insUnfortunately, there have been lots of reports of vehicle break-ins recently. The latest occurred on August 17th, 2003 at the ?Old man?s take-out? which is just downstream from the Pemi Park & Play spot. A window was broken to gain access and items where stolen. Break-ins have also been reported within the last year at the put in. Avoid falling victim to these thieves by taking all valuables out of the vehicle or at least stash them out of sight in a trunk or under the seat. At the put in it would be best to drop the boats off at the parking area at the base of the dam then driving them back up and parking near the baseball field where it will be more visible to the public. Take the dam portage trail, just slightly downstream of Ayers Island Dam, back down to the lower boat access. And finally, report all break-ins and vadalism to the Bristol police dept. (put in), or New Hampton police department (take-out).Mapquest Directions From Concord, NH Directions from southern NH.Interstate 93 north to exit 23. Left on state rt. 104 (west) towards Bristol. Approximately 4.5 miles, look for a baseball field on the left. There will be a yellow playground sign just before you get there. Take a left here and go around the ball field towards the recycling center. Drive past the entrance to the town garage, sewage treatment facility, and recycling center. The road at this point turns to a rough dirt road descending steeply to the small parking area at the base of the dam. Note new handicap accessible outhouse. Directions to the take out: Continue past the entrance to the ball field for approximately .75 miles to the center of Bristol. Take a left, then another immediate left in the town square. Stay right at the "Y" intersection downhill over the bridge. Take an immediate right on Coolidge Woods road (dirt) after the bridge. Approximately 1/3 mile to take out. Look for vehicles parked at the play spot. Or take out a little further down stream where the river flattens out. New put in accessIn the summer of 2006 a new river access path was put in by PSNH. It is accessed from the same parking area. The path leads a short distance downstream from the old put in. The path is made up of crushed stone and has an even grade all the way to river level. This is a great improvement over the continually shifting rock jumble we used to put in at.Osprey camIn 2003 Public Service Company of New Hampshire installed an artificial osprey nest at their Ayers Island hydro facility. Since that time a nesting pair of Ospreys have taken up residents to raise their chicks for the last few years. This Nest is visable from the putin. Look to the river left side of the dam to view the telephone pole platform with a large nest on top. In the summer of 2006 PSNH installed a webcam so we can view the nest at anytime.StreamTeam Status: verified
Last Updated: 2008-05-31 17:59:53
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