Rapid, ME

Outflow to Pond in the River

Outflow to Pond in the River
Photo of Sharon Lacroix and George May by Mark Lacroix taken July 1993 @ 1300 cfs

River Description

From the put in boaters must paddle 1-1/2 miles across the lake hugging the left shore to the remains of Lower Dam. Lower dam looks like an old delapitated covered bridge with the ends removed. This is the start of the river portion of the trip.
"The river itself is worth the trip. Clean, great scenery, some nice relatively easy and safe III-IV with maybe one of the best playspots in New England. The river ends in Lake Umbagog. It is then necessary to paddle 3/4 of a mile to a well hidden take out trail in a cove on the left side of the lake. Look for streamers in the trees and a few small paddle boats lying up on the shore. It is best to have someone familiar with the take out location with you. After all this is finished, you can then get in your second car and spend the rest of the day trying to figure out how the heck to get back to your first one. Most people who run the Rapid will tell you it's worth the trip. If you are lucky while you're there you might be able to run the Magalloway, which is also nearby.

Some people disagree with the "easy and safe" designation, because the river is very shallow in places. I'd hate to have to call in an ambulance after a flip on one of the many "long, powerful, and shallow" pitches on this run. In an emergency a couple years back a power boat was "borrowed" from the Cedar Stump campground just downstream from the end of the river as it enters Lake Umbagog. From here it is a 30 minute power boat ride to Errol then another 45 minutes to the nearest hospital in Berlin NH.

Access Issues

Technical info

Put in elevation........1398'
Take out elevation......1243'
Total drop..............155'
Average drop/mile.......68'(river portion only) 
Distance................2.25 miles (river),   2.3 miles lake 
1st mile drop...........35'
2nd mile drop...........80'
2.25 mile drop..........20’……80 '  average
River width average.....50'
River geology...........medium granite boulders and some ledge 
River water quality.....Good, clarity good.
Scenery.................Excellent, a few camps on river right.  
Wildlife................Deer, moose, loons, eagles.