The Quaboag starts at the Lucy Stone Park as a class II river for almost half of the run then turns into a class III pool drop river with one carry around a dam. At the higher water levels some of the rapids become very turbulent and are filled with powerful holes that can easily swamp an open boat. For a complete description refer to the guidebook "Classic Northeastern Whitewater Guide" by Bruce Lessels.
Caution: Be on a constant lookout for downed trees. There are a lot of beavers in the area and they're all on steroids. They've been knocking down huge trees that have spanned the entire river. This video, recorded 3/22/2014, is one scary example.
Best after paddle food/ice cream: JANINE'S FROSTIE!!! http://www.janinesfrostee.com/ 149 Eat Street, Ware, MA North of the Quabog, on Route 32. Cheap prices, and hits the spot.
Ran today at 5.0, plenty of strainers and sweepers to keep you busy, but nothing required portaging. Really fun, all my previous runs were 4.1-4.2 so this was quite an improvement, one wave train in the gorge had ~4' waves. Great day, no swims. Have fun but be careful with all the wood.
Ran yesterday around 5.7. Highest I've seen it at. River features still very fun. Still no portages required, but combination of low hanging trees that could fall, and some trees we floated over that would be a problem at lower levels will continue to demand very careful attention if you paddle it. As of June 13th, another 1-2 inches of rain is expected later this week.
6 years ago
by Hana
Just some info on Quaboag. It keeps going up for about 2 days after any apprecialble amount of rain. Goes up slowly and also comes down slowly. The things got a big and swampy watershed.
Permits are not required for this reach.
42.1930999755859,-72.2640991210938
42.2173004150391,-72.2640991210938
NA
Follow route 67 northeast to the town of Warren. Take the first left after crossing the Quaboag River onto North River Road. Lucy Stone Park is on the left just before crossing the next bridge. This is the put-in for the class II section.
For the take-out of the class II section and the put-in for the class III section follow route 67 southwest to a dirt pull-off a little ways before the traffic light in West Warren.
Brett in the Gorge
Jamie at Broken Dam
Dave at the mouse hole
"Sweeper" on Mouse Hole Drop
Surfs Up!
Quaboag Seal Launch
The Gorilla Line
Randy Sneaks left
Old Broken Dam on Quaboag
Mouse Hole Drop on Quaboag
Mousehole Drop on the Quaboag
Quaboag Portage
Dropping In
Punching the Hole
Quabog Drop
If someone gets hurt on a river, or you read about a whitewater-related injury, please report it to American Whitewater. Don't worry about multiple submissions from other witnesses, as our safety editors will turn multiple witness reports into a single unified accident report.
In response to requests by American Whitewater, several affiliates, and other stakeholders, FERC directed Brookfield Renewable to study the impact of its hydropower operations on whitewater boating on the Deerfield River in western Massachusetts. Boating groups and our supporters are seeking to determine optimal whitewater boating flows from the Fife Brook Dam and whether changes in hydropower operations would enhance boating opportunities, access and navigation.
American Whitewater, along with other paddling groups and outfitters, filed comments with FERC responding to the Whitewater Boating Evaluation at Turners Falls on the Connecticut River. The study showed that there is strong demand for boating on this section of the Connecticut River if sufficient flows, scheduled releases, better access, and real-time information are provided. The groups filed the comments in order to provide additional information for the environmental review and to respond to the unsupported statements by FirstLight, the utility performing the study, claiming that there is little demand for boating at Turners Falls.
A hardy group of northeast boaters climbed into the natural river channel below a hydropower dam to participate in a flow study designed to assess whether whitewater flows should be restored to this dewatered river reach on the Connecticut River. While significant obstacles remain, this site has the potential for providing instruction, playboating, and a big water feature that that could be run throughout much of the year and provide a much needed boost to the local economy.
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