Pond in the River to Lake UmbagogClass IV
5.25 Miles
Avg Gradient 68 fpm
Max Gradient 80 fpm
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 DescriptionThe Rapid river is located in a secluded part of Maine close to the NH border. It used to be difficult to get to this river because of limited accessable public roads. Boaters used to paddle several miles across the open waters of lake Umbagog out of Errol NH then carry upstream to the put in. Others hired a seaplane bush pilot out of Errol to fly them into Pond in the River then pick them up several hours latter in Lake Umbagog. There is a private dirt road on the north side of the river but this is gated and inaccessable to all but a few camp owners and one rafting company. In the late 80's a group of Maine Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) members found put in and take out spots through a maze of logging roads on the south side of the river. These logging roads have improved over the years and are now suitable for any vehicle to make it to the put in. The take out is still a little rougher towards the end and it is still recommended to take a high clearance vehicle there.
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.
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 IssuesAccess to the Rapid is via private land and private logging roads. The land is mostly owned by local paper mills and a few individual land owners. There have been grumblings from the land owners about traffic, camping, and ATV's. Please try to car pool as much as possible, pull vehicles well off the road. Logging trucks have the right of way so yield to them and give them a wave. Stick to a reasonable speed on all roads especially around sharp corners. Slow down to a crawl when you approach a logging operation in progress to avoid "dusting" the workers. Please do not camp in the area especially if it is posted. There are several campgrounds in the Errol area. Carry out all trash. The land owners I've talked to seam to be more upset by ATV use than boaters so please keep a good boaters image. There is one access point to the logging road network from Upton that already has a gate that can easily be closed and locked. Let's hope this does not happen. Technical infoPut 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. StreamTeam Status: verified
Last Updated: 2007-02-23 22:10:05
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Call 1-800-557-3569 for the latest release information. The rivers flow is controlled from Middle dam at the lower end of Lake Richardson. Releases of 1300 and 1800 cfs are scheduled for the warm dry weekends in Summer. Usually the last two weekends of July and the first two weekends in August.
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*Although the dam stops releasing at noon, dropping river levels usually are not noticeable at Smooth Ledge until 3 pm. Flows start at 6:00pm before 1st scheduled day and end at 12 noon on last scheduled day.
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Add a Comment| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Rapid River shuttle map |   | |
| 0.0 | Map Key |  | |
| 1.5 | Lower dam | II+ | |
| 2.8 | First Pitch | IV | |
| 2.9 | Second Pitch | IV | |
| 3.0 | Third Pitch | IV | |
| 3.2 | Smooth Ledge | III |   |
| 3.4 | S-Turn | IV | |
| 3.8 | Devils Hopyard | III+ |
After a 1-1/2 mile flat water paddle from the put-in the first drop is welcome. From the put-in follow the left shore of Pond in the River. Where the lake constricts you will notice a small rapid at the top of the river. This was the location of Lower Dam which was torn down and removed in 2004. Small rapids with several surfing possibillities continue for 1/4 mile up to and past three small cottages on river right. The first cottage has a nice surfing wave near the top of the drop. Shortly downstream a second cottage is where Louise Dickinson Rich wrote a best selling book "We Took to the Woods". Aldro French currently owns the property and is happy to show visitors around. There is a good surfing wave in front of this building especially at the lower 1300 cfs releases. 1/4 mile downstream you will view the "Sugar Shack" the third and last cottage on river right. There is a nice surfing wave here at the remains of another dam. Shortly downstream from the "Sugar Shack" the river widens and goes over a rather shallow rocky rapid as it swings to the right. There is a small sand beach on the right just below this rapid. This is a good rest and boat draining spot before attempting the Three Pitches just downstream from here.
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