Clyde
5 Mile Square Rd to Clyde Road
| Difficulty | II-III(V) |
| Length | 23 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Clyde River at Newport, Vt |
| Flow Rate as of 31 minutes | 567 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 27, 2024 |
River Description
Put in and Take out show the furthest runnable extent of the river.
There are a few ponds with flatwater between so choose your section carefully. Mostly this run is a mellow winding river, but there are also some large dams and drops. These are completely avoidable by choosing an appopriate put in and takeout.
Class III-IV 1/3 miles
There is a drop behind the West Charlston Post Office. This is the start of a short section with a few significant drops. (Durgin Rd to Fontaine Road.) There is also a gorge under Pensioner pond (Big Falls).
Class I-II section 3 miles
Between Main street Derby Center and Crawford farm road there is a easy Class I-II section. You could also put in at hayward hollow road. it will add couple rapids to your trip, but also a long flat section on lake Salem. Watch for trees.
Class V-VI 1/3 miles
There is what seems to be a significant, maybe unrunnable gorge below the Crawford Road bridge at the outflow of Clyde Pond.
Class II-III section 3/4miles
Just below the gorge at the power plant there is a nice 3/4 mile class II-III section that keeps good flows for a while after a big rain. There is mutiple feature (a ledge, lots of eddy, holes and a surf wave between 500 cfs and 750 cfs). You can use an old power canal full of water to paddle back up the section.(Take out at the clyde street/Hill street junction).The river end in Newport a mile downstream
River Features
Put In
Durgin Road Put in (Class III-IV)
Putinupstreamofthebridge.Thisrapidisdownstreamoftheputin
Fontaine Road Access
Crawford Road Parc Take out
Take out at the Clyde lake access park
Power plant put in (Class II-III)
Access for class II-III rapids.
Power canal
Use the old power canal to paddle back up and laps the rapids again
Clyde street/Hill Street junction Take Out
Small pullout parking and takeout right at Clyde street/Hill street junction. There is another parking at Citizens Utilities Road and at Western Ave
Trip Reports
Log in to add a report630cfs
SUP and kayak multiple time the section below the powerplant. The flow was a bit low for a paddle board but it was ok for kayaking. The wave under the pedestrian bridge was in at that flow. There is a big sweeper right after the put in. Portage river left.
700 cfs
Paddle the section in a tandem canoe from 5 mile road. Good flow. We have to make sure to avoid some fallen trees. Feel seclude even if that's close to civilization.
400 CFS
Afternoon trip on the Newport section. Laps it 4 times. We use the old hydroelectric channel to go back up with minimum walking. 1200 cfs
Laps this section in Newport couple time. Short but their is a lots of features to practice.
620 cfs
9/4/2011
Paddled from Lake Salem to Clyde Pond. River level was 650cfs. No significant damage from Hurricane Irene. Be mindful, as always, of strainers/sweepers.