Dead,

Spencer Falls to West Forks

Busy day on the Dead

Busy day on the Dead
Photo by Mark Lacroix taken 5/26/02 @ 6000 cfs

River Description

Located in an isolated corner of Northern New England, the Dead is one of the longest continuous sections of whitewater in the Northeast. With approximately thirty rapids along a fourteen mile stretch it is an incredibly popular summer whitewater run.

The river is primarily release controlled, although it also runs after periods of heavy rain. The difficulty of the river changes greatly depending upon release level. At lower levels (1200-1800) it is primarily class II (except for the very first, and last couple of rapids). At medium levels (2000-3500) it is class III; and at higher levels (4500-8000) class IV. The higher releases are generally during May, early June, September, and October. Expect huge crowds of rafters and boaters during these high-water releases. Summer releases are normally in the low-to-medium range.

The river is mostly boulder type rapids with lots of holes and pourovers. There is simply too many features and rapids to be completely described. Only the highlights have been documented.

The shoreline and river bed are totally different from the neighboring Kennebec river. There is little shear wall cliffs on this river but thick vegetation grows right up to the rivers edge. This makes it very difficult to rescue swimmers and equipment.

Technical info

Put in elevation........1000'
Take out elevation......591'
Total drop..............409'
Average drop/mile.......31'
Distance................13.35 miles
1st mile drop...........22'
2nd mile drop...........26'
3rd mile drop...........43'
4th mile drop...........27'
5th mile drop...........9'
6th mile drop...........19'
7th mile drop...........37'
8th mile drop...........33'
9th mile drop...........34'
10th mile drop..........38'
11th mile drop..........35'
12th mile drop..........32'
13th mile drop..........47'
13.3 mile drop.... .....7' (20' average)
River width average.....120'
River geology...........small to medium granite boulders 
River water quality.....Good, clear except for higher water releases.
Scenery.................Excellent mountain and forest scenery.   
Wildlife................Occasional deer, moose, hawks, 

Map of The Forks

The Forks, Maine.

Map by Mark Lacroix

Map Key

1. Webb's Dead River Campground & Shuttle Service: Shuttles to the Dead put in, campground with showers. To book a site at Webb's campground or shuttle call River Drivers to make the reservations. That phone number is: 207-663-4475. The cost is $8.00 per person, per night, plus 7% State tax.
2. Appleton�s restaurant: Pizza, subs, ice cream, breakfast (207) 663-2114 .
3. River Drivers: Rafting, etc 207-663-4475.
4. Paddling shop: Dead River Outfitters
5. Berry�s General Store: Gas, Beer, food, supplies, pizza, subs
6. The Ball field campground: Primitive campsites, porta-poties, no showers. Take out for Lower Kennebec.
7. Crab Apple Camping Rafting, hot tub, bar, food.
8. Public Picnic area: also used as Lower Kennebec take out.
9. The Marshall Hotel (Hotel Cocktails): Food, bar, horse shoes, pool table.
10. Dead River takeout.
11. Majic Falls Rafting: Raft trips, camping
12. Three Rivers Whitewater & Kelly Brook campground
13. Northern Outdoors Camping, Rafting, restaurant, hot tub, bar, entertainment
14. North Country Rivers Rafting, etc.
15. Professional River Runners: Rafting, etc.
16. New England Outdoor Center: Rafting, paddling shop, etc.
17. Indian Pond campground
Not on map:
Moxie Gore cabins: : $30 per night
Moxie Outdoor Outfitters: 866-663-2646 Large cabins $75 per night