November 23, 2008
| Reporter |
The maximum level of 6.25 feet (perhaps 1500 CFS) is wildly unrealistic. Typically that isn't even enough to paddle the section above the portal. A much better reference is the guage at Allaben, a bit upstream of the portal: http://tinyurl.com/2p9by7
I'd guess that about 400 is minimum, and I've paddled from Big Indian at about 1000cfs on the Allaben guage. At that level it's mostly fast and continuous, but not technically difficult. Figure class 2 to 3 waves and current, but not much manuevering required to miss rocks or holes. As of late 2007 there are two river-wide strainers that are mandatory portages. They can both be seen from county route 47, a bit west of state route 42. One is just downstream of the upstream fishing access, and the other is a bit further upstream. Still further upstream, and just below the bridge on Fire House Rd there's a blind drop of 3 or 4 feet that should be scouted.
Unless all the water is coming from the headwaters, 1000 cfs at Allaben will probably mean 2500 cfs or more on the Cold Brook guage. That will make the rest of the run fast and pushy, but for the most part it doesn't get more difficult.