Gauge Description:

This entire section is regulated by Ayers island hydro dam at the put-in. The USGS gauge referred to above is located upstream of the dam in Plymouth NH. When this gauge exceeds 1300cfs, water is just about guaranteed in Bristol. Water is available at other times when this guage is below 1300cfs but Ayers Island Hydro regulates releases below the dam. This is a peaking power station so levels sometimes rise and fall without warning. To get the latest best guess level information call after 7pm the day before (603) 634-3569 for a recorded phone message. You can call the dispatcher for specific info 603-669-4000.
To find out if the Pemi has been releasing recently go to the Army Corps of Engineers Franklin Falls flood control dam webpage and look at the last reading under the "inflow cfs" heading. Unfortunately there is a several hour delay between the release at Ayers Island and the reading on this webpage. Use it only to get a recent release history.

There are four Summer releases of at least 900 cfs that were negotiated during dam relicencing a few years ago. Usually one weekend in July and another weekend in August.
400 cfs ......minimum scratchy level
600 cfs.......very low
800 cfs.......low
1100 cfs......low to medium
1500 cfs......medium
2000 cfs......medium high
2700 cfs......high
3400 cfs......very high
>6800 cfs.....Pemibec

 

Note: The weekend of August 15, 16, and 17th 2008 is the scheduled Merrimack Valley Paddlers Pig Roast and whitewater rodeo.
 

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