We ran this stretch last weekend in our 17 foot canoe. The river was at 2.77 and was only a little scratchy. The play waves were a little small for surfing this boat. We are fairly new to whitewater canoeing and this class II was near the limits of our abilities.

this is a class three at any level, be aware of the bridges at 5 feet plus. there is a hole on the right arch of the first bridge, so stay left (few small waves in the left arch ) second bridge stay in the arch to the far right. there is a good wave at 5 feet plus, catch the eddie behind the pylon. you'll see it. then the is a streach of flat that is good for nothing after this there is one, almost river wide wave, under the foot bridege, its a one shot deal, and the walk is brutal. catch this wave and stay as long as you can!!! there is an eddie above the wave, river left. to wait your turn. ther is a section at the 6 foot level that you have to roll under a beam in a bridge or port, ( this is just before the good wave) the end is a short rapid and another bridge with hazzards at 5' plus low beams in decent rapids stay left to be safe or port at the eddie on the right just before the rapids and scout at higher levels there are a few waves but not in good spots Edit

I ran the Assabet at about 4.5 feet on 6/4/06. It's not too technical, but I would definitely call it a class III run at that level due to wood and bridge pylons.<br /> <br /> We took out a few hundred yards below Maynard Elks (I'm not sure you can see that building from the river) where the river broadens and flattens out. The dam is significantly further downstream.

Hey all when you run the Assabet use caution at the put in there are two tubes just after you start off make sure you go through the one to the left. There is a ledge at the end of the right tube that will hang you up. I ran with open cockpit boats and within 2 seconds of getting stuck the water came into the cockpit and swamped me.