Blackwater
Route 127 to Snyder's Mill
| Difficulty | II-IV |
| Length | 3.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 32 fpm |
| Gauge | Blackwater River Near Webster, Nh |
| Flow Rate as of 47 minutes | 628 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | December 29, 2023 |
River Description
The Blackwater is located in Webster NH just west of Concord. It is comprised of about 90% flatwater. Above the put in is a class V rapid that runs from just below Blackwater dam to the putin. After this is a small section of class 2 where slalom races are held. After this it is flat until you get to Clothespin Bridge, first of the three rapids on the run. More flatwater between here and a ledge like class 3 drop. Then again there is more flatwater until you reach Eggbeater, which is right above the take out.
The run is worth doing once to check off your list, or if nothing else is running. Those who are novices would be content to lap the class 2 below the put in. Eggbeater is worth lapping for advanced boater if there is a way to do so without tresspassing. Clothespin Bridge is a nice rapid, again if paddled on its own. You will have to paddle to move in the flatwater, it will make you question if it was worth the drive.
Technical info
Put in elevation........470'Take out elevation......350'Total drop..............120'Average drop/mile.......32'1st mile................10'2nd mile................30'3rd mile................30'3.8 mile................50'Distance................3.8 milesRiver width average.....35'River geology...........Granite ledge, small to medium bouldersRiver water quality.....Good to excellent, clarity good to excellent.Scenery.................Good forested scenery, a few homes and camps along the way.Wildlife................Deer, Merganzers, Blue herons.Directions
Put in
Interstate 93 to exit 17 north of Concord.
Take the US-4 exit, exit number 17, towards US-3/PENACOOK/RT-132/BOSCAWEN.
Keep RIGHT at the fork in the ramp.
Go west on US-4 for approximately 4.5 miles
Turn LEFT onto WATER ST proceed for 5 miles. Water street turns into Long street
At the intersection of NH 127 take a left.
In less than 2 miles look for the Webster elementary school o
...River Features
Put In
Rivers of the lower Contoocook region
How do I remove this? I don't know. TODO: remove
Horrendous
Clothespin Bridge
When a bridge is visible on the horizon line get ready for a good ride. Clothespin is a 5' verticle drop into a frothy hole. Run right of middle and turn towards the left just as you go over the drop. Brace and be ready for a roll at the bottom. The river is very narrow at this point and can accelerate a boater into a rock wall.
A rapid
A fairly long rapid with lots of holes to manuever around. Nice playhole on river left at the bottom of the drop.
Eggbeater
One of the most difficult regularly run rapid in NH. Eddy out on river right just as the river takes a hard left and scout. This is a long steep slide that leads up to a ledge drop with a stickey hole at the bottom. The approach to the ledge is very turbulant with large stickey holes. At levels below 1000 cfs there are several micro eddy's to catch along the way. Above 1000 cfs these eddies turn into violent wirlpools and holes. After the ledge drop the river calms down a little until you reach the takeout 200 yards below the bridge.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThere is a sneak route far left at Final Ledge. Also, the photo shows a gradual descent far right--if you can get there.
First decent of Herrendous