Old browser warning

Site look funky? Your browser is so old standards-based layouts and styling confuse it. Consider updating. One excellent option is Mozilla Firefox, versions of which are available for Linux, Mac and Windows.

Kennebec, ME

1) Kennebec Gorge: Harris Station Dam to Carry Brook

Class IV

3.5 Miles

Avg Gradient 40 fpm

Max Gradient 55 fpm

Magic Falls

Magic Falls
Photo of Tom Christopher by Tom Christopher @ 6000 cfs

River Description

Once you enter the gorge below Harris station, you are commited to the run. The gorge has sheer walls with class IV big water running for approximately 2 miles. The main concern is big waves, crosscurrents, and some large holes. The shoreline is shale that tends to break up into sharp jagged edges.

The Alleyway continues up to Cathedral eddy were there is a good wavetrain. After Cathedral eddy the Kennebec widens and the shear gorge walls dissappear. Z-turn rapid lies 1/4 mile downstream. This is an easy class II playspot with surfing waves and an ender/sidesurfing hole.

Another 1/3 of a mile below Z-turn is the biggest drop on the Kennebec. Run left for a dip into Magic Hole. At levels above 3500cfs Magic Hole can be punched but be ready to roll. Below 3500cfs Magic gets sticky and trashy. Take the "Highway" which runs just left of center of the river. Do not run river right at any level below 8500 cfs. Maytag hole can hold rafts for days.

The takeout is another 1-1/2 miles downstream at Carry brook. There is a steep stairway on the left. Trips can continue down to the Forks (9 miles) but the river becomes more sluggish the further downstream you go.

The following information is from AW Director Tom Christopher, quoted in various message boards:

1. The 300 cfs minimum flow will not be in place until FPL receives their operating license from FERC, hopefully in about a year. It is an excellent Class II-III run, fine for open boats and not pushy, with 2, perhaps 3, easy Class IV drops that can be easily portaged. It will provide a wonderful opportunity for folks with a lower skills level to enjoy the remote beauty of the Kennebec Gorge.

2. The normal 4800 cfs release is a classic Class IV run with big water waves and crosscurrent crashing off of the Gorge walls, a few serious holes, and multiple opportunities for long nasty swims especially below "Big Mama" (8 ft. waves) and into the "Alleyway".

If you do not have a combat roll or have limited Class IV experience, it is probably not a good idea to run at this level.

3. At 2400 cfs all of the above is significantly magnified. There are more holes with consequences, much stickier and nasty. The river become more technical at this level and now becomes a more difficult Class IV+ river that will require a good solid skills level for the trip to be run safely.

Directions to the Forks

Take I-95 North to Maine Exit 36 (Route 201) in Fairfield or Skowhegan. Go north on 201 to The Forks (about 60 miles north on 201 from I-95). This will get you to West Forks Maine.

Directions to the put in from the Forks

1) Begin at Webbs/Berrys on US-201 and go Southeast for 0.4 miles (0.4 cumulative)
2) Turn left on Moxie Rd,Moxie Falls Rd and go East for 5 miles (5.6 cumulative). Location marked by a "W" on the map.
3) Turn left on Indian Pond Dam Rd and go North for 8 miles (13.5 cumulative) Location marked by a "X" on the map.
4) Check in at the gate house then proceed through the gate .2 miles (13.7 cumulative). Location marked by a "Z" on the map.

Directions to the take out from the put in

1) Begin at the put in (Harris station) head south on Indian pond dam road 4.0 miles(4.0 cumulative)
2) Turn right at a dirt road intersection with a small shed size building on the right. Location marked by a "Y" on the map.
3) Approximately 1.5 miles of good to poor dirt road to take out (5.5 cumulative)

Technical info

Put in elevation........844'
Take out elevation......706'
Total drop..............138'
Average drop/mile.......40'
Distance................3.5 miles 
River width average.....50'
River geology...........Slate ledge 
River water quality.....Good, clarity good.
Scenery.................Excellent, isolated steep walled gorge  
Wildlife................Deer, moose, loons, eagles.

StreamTeam Status: verified

Last Updated: 2008-03-02 18:37:13

Events

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
October 2008
28	29	30	1	2 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs	3 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs	4 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs
5 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs	6 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs	7 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs	8 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs	9 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs	10 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs	11 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs
12 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs	13 Kennebec Releases 10:00 am -1:00 pm est 4800-0 cfs	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31	1