West River
2. (Salmon Hole)(Ball Mountain Dam to Jamaica State Park)
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 2.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 58 fpm |
| Gauge | West River at Jamaica, Vt |
| Flow Rate as of 37 minutes | 147 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 25, 2021 |
Projects
The West River has a history of whitewater boating dating back at least 50 years. In 1958, the second eastern and third National Whitewater Slalom Championships were held on the West River in the proposed project area immediately below Ball Mountain Dam. Since that time, and likely since well [...]Read More
River Description
Technical info
Put in elevation........829'Take out elevation......668'Total drop..............161'Average drop/mile.......58'Mile1 drop......71'Mile2 drop......49'Mile2.75 drop....41'Distance................2.75 milesRiver width average.....160'River geology........... medium to large granite boulders, ledge at dumplingsRiver water quality.....good to excellent.Scenery.................Beautiful forested sceneryWildlife................Deer, Merganzers, Hawks, Blue herons.Jamaica, Vermont is a popular destination for its annual spring and fall release weekends. The main attraction is the release from Ball Mountain flood-control dam operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. The spring release is usually scheduled for the last full weekend of April; the Fall release falls on the third full weekend of September. This release allows boating on two sections of the West: The Upper West, class III; and the Lower West, class II. The termination for the upper and the start for the lower are located at Jamaica State Park, which lies just to the north of Vt. Route 30. Camping is available at Jamaica State Park, but you will need to make your reservation the day they open up.
Another alternative to Jamaica State Park is Winhall Campground, located about 10 miles farther north of Jamaica on route 100.
At Jamaica State Park, Vermont state workers operate a shuttle on the Upper West during the fall release. As of September 2018 & 2019, the Shuttle fees were $15 per trip or $25 for unlimited trips for the day. There is no spring shuttle since the shuttle route utiliz
...River Features
Put in
This is the upper put in at the base of the dam. Requires a hike down from the top of Ball Mtn. Dam or a 1/2 mile hike up from the end of the park shuttle.
Initiation
This rapid lies just below the outflow from Ball Mountain Dam. If you take the shuttle up from Jamaica State Park carry across the footbridge over Cobb Brook and walk ~1/3 mile upstream to the base of the dam. There is a nice eddy river left of the dam discharge. Just downstream from the eddy put in the river drops through the heaviest whitewater on the West. A center route will take you through a series of holes and standing waves a few rocks are scatered throughout. As the river takes a gradual left look for an eddy on river left that services a nice surfing wave. Below this playspot the river eases up a bit but look out for a couple tough sections especially next to two large boulders the first on river right the next a short way downstream on river left.
Boof Rock
As the river approaches the shuttle trail once more and takes a sharp right a large pourover rock is located just to the left of river center. This rock is a popular boofing spot. Just below Boof rock is a series of nice (but difficult to catch) surfing waves.
The Dumplings
The most technical rapid on the West. Can be identified by very large boulders blocking the view of the best route downstream. The easiest route through the Dumplings starts out on river left. As the river turns to the right paddle hard to river right to avoid a trashy section on the left side of the channel with a mix of holes and rocks. Eddy out behind one of the 'dumplings' if you can. The next section takes you through standing waves and a large hole/wave that upsets many boats just before the ender hole. The rapid ends at the West river ender spot wich can be identified by tourist and an observation platform on river left. The West river ender hole is on river right and is served by a large eddy there. Gone are the days of the long high volume boats which used to get major air at this spot. A more difficult route would take a boater to the right of the upper Dumpling. The most difficult move is the 'Twisty Chute' that drops to the right at the top of the first dumpling. If you manage to stay upright through the slot it then accelerates you into another boulder that has a slight undercut on the upstream side.
Take Out
The traditional takeout during release weekends is at Jamaica State Park. You can recognize it by the gazebos, campsites and stairways on river left. If the park should be full and you are forced to park at the field near the Jamaica school continue downstream another quarter mile and take out on river right just downstream from the bridge.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a report---quoted---
Corps of Engineers supports canoeists, kayakers, and rafters on West River with white water releases
Posted 9/19/2014, Release no. 2014-116, Contact Tim Dugan, 978-318-8264, cenae-pa@usace.army.mil
CONCORD, Mass. – Controlled releases will be made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, from Ball Mountain Dam and Townshend Dam in Jamaica and Townshend, Vermont, on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and Sept. 28, 2014 to provide flows for recreational canoeing, kayaking, and rafting.
Park gates will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to welcome approximately 800 participants the Corps expects to turn out to enjoy this white water event. The Corps expects to release about 1,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) for both Ball Mountain and Townshend Dams from about 10 a.m. until about 2 p.m. on both days. These flows will allow canoeists, kayakers, and rafters to enjoy the river. The 8-mile run from Ball Mountain Dam to Townsend Lake has class I-IV rapids.
The water releases that support these recreational activities are subject to an adequate volume of water being available and could be cancelled or modified during low flow or high flow events.
Ball Mountain Dam, on the West River in Jamaica, was constructed at a cost of $11 million in 1961 to reduce flooding. The 915‑foot‑long, 265‑foot‑high dam can impound a 54,600‑acre‑foot reservoir, which is equivalent to 17.8 billion gallons of water. Since it was placed in operation in 1961, it has prevented damages of $162.2 million. The reservoir area offers many recreational opportunities, including swimming, picnicking, fishing, hunting, canoeing, nature study and camping at Winhall Brook Camping Area in South Londonderry. Ball Mountain welcomes more than 130,000 visitors each year.
Townshend Dam, on the West River in Townshend, is 1,700 feet long, 133 feet high and cost $7.4 million to construct. Its lake can hold a 33,700-acre‑foot reservoir with a capacity to store 10.8 billion gallons of water. Since it was placed in operation in 1961, it has prevented damages of $137.1 million. The reservoir area offers many recreational opportunities, including swimming, picnicking, fishing, hunting, canoeing, boating and nature study and annually attracts nearly 81,000 visitors.
Ball Mountain Lake is located at 88 Ball Mountain Lane off of Route 30 or Route 100 in Jamaica. For more information on the white water event or Corps recreation there contact the Ball Mountain Lake project office at (802) 874-4881 or visit the website:
http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/BallMountainLake.aspx.
---end quoted from [http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Media/NewsReleases/tabid/11736/Article/499897/corps-of-engineers-supports-canoeists-kayakers-and-rafters-on-west-river-with-w.aspx\] ---
Down from the Dam
West Fest 2012
ran the river today at 3800 and many class III's were IV's and then some. Water was high enough to go over the right dumpling in a raft. Initiation rapids were also big with 6-8ft waves. Above recommended but runnable in a raft or creekboat.
Sweet boof! More of my photos can be found on my American Whitewater page and my Geocities page.
This hole is on the left side where the river turns to the right a little ways below the ender hole on the right. More of my photos can be found on my American Whitewater page and my Geocities page.
This is the hole that is on the left side of the river where the river bends to the right after the big ender hole. More of my photos can be found on my American Whitewater page and my Geocities page.
This is the hole that is on the left side of the river where the river bends to the right after the big ender hole. More of my photos can be found on my American Whitewater page and my Geocities page.
It LOOKS like he is moving fast! More of my photos can be found on my American Whitewater page and my Geocities page.
More of my photos can be found on my American Whitewater page and my Geocities page.
I saw a couple of people almost pin their boats on this rock. More of my photos can be found on my American Whitewater page and my Geocities page.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
Enders don't work too well in a Topo Duo with the heavy person in the rear! More of my photos can be found on my American Whitewater page and my Geocities page.
It works MUCH better with a heavier person in the front of the Topo Duo. (I think that he was 40 or so pounds heavier) More of my photos can be found on my American Whitewater page and my Geocities page.
They could not do an ender but they could roll the Topo Duo! More of my photos can be found on my American Whitewater page and my Geocities page.
Picture taken from the top of Ball Mtn dam.