New River

I run the upper and middle (Denny) New River frequently. These two runs linked together at a medium flow are excellent!  Use the Somes Bar gauge on the Salmon River. All flows I refer to are that gauge.  Look for at least 2500 cfs. I went up in Spring of 2023 when the gauge read 2000 cfs and the New River was pretty poor quality. January 2024 we ran it at 4000 cfs and I showed 3 first timers down the upper run and 6 first timers down the middle run. Everyone was at least an 'advanced' boater, and had a great time. This was an upper medium flow and seemed iv+ on the upper and iii-iv on the middle. I went back again the same month and we had 5500cfs and rising slowly. I led 4 boaters down and we had an excellent time. This is getting into the high flows. I have seen solid groups run it even higher and have a great time. We portaged the first class iv and scouted the other two gorges. At the Panther Creek takeout, look at the alder tree trunks across the pool. If the water touches them you have upper medium flow. If the water laps past them a few inches, you are going to have high flows -Darryl