West River
2. (Salmon Hole)(Ball Mountain Dam to Jamaica State Park)
Alerts
Log in to add an alertOn August 28th, 2011 Hurricane Irene struck New England. The resulting floods caused extensive damage throughout the region, the worst in over 100 years. More than half the rivers in Vermont and northern New Hampshire recorded their highest flow levels ever. Many roads, guardrails, power lines, bridges, trees and other debris now litter several rivers throughout the region. River beds have been scoured and changed course, many new strainers make navigation problematic at best and downright dangerous at worse. Please realize that the river description you see here may not match current situation after the floods. Use common sense and when in doubt scout especially on blind drops. Also, if you run this river in the next year or so please comment on its navigability, even if there are no problems this will be very helpful. Please report any new strainers or changes to the rapids that will impact future boating.
Thank you,
Articles
Dec 6, 2015
Northeast Boaters Seek To Expand West River (VT) Boating
In response to of the state’s draft basin plan for southern Vermont, American Whitewater and scores of boaters pressed the state to support the expansion of releases on the West […]
Sep 29, 2015
Boaters Enjoy Annual West River (VT) Release
Last weekend, 1500 boaters came out to the West River in Jamaica, VT to enjoy the annual whitewater release from the Army Corps Ball Mountain Dam. The release was up […]
Sep 28, 2012
West River Clean-Up This Saturday (VT)
Vermont Paddlers Club have stepped up to help out with a low key, paddler driven river clean-up on the West River this weekend. The event is part of a larger […]
Sep 5, 2012
Looking for Volunteers to Clean Up Vermont’s West River
This year the Connecticut River Watershed Council's Source to Sea Cleanup coincides with the September 29 West River release in Vermont. American Whitewater is trying to organize a handful of […]
Jul 13, 2012
Federal Decision Could Change West River (VT) Release Discussions
A decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to abandon efforts to restore Atlantic salmon to the Connecticut River basin could change the game for whitewater releases on […]
Feb 1, 2012
AW and Northeast Paddlers Seek More Class III Opportunities
American Whitewater recently joined regional paddling and conservation partners in seeking additional class III paddling opportunities on Vermont's Little and West rivers. The requests were formal filings made to the […]
Dec 18, 2010
Paddlers Request West River Studies (VT)
This week American Whitewater, New England Flow and the Vermont Paddlers Club are filing a detailed written request for studies relating to a proposed hydropower project on the popular West […]
Mar 25, 2010
West River (VT) To Run This Weekend
This just in from the Army Corps of Engineers: We have a high pool today (about 110 feet) at Ball Mountain Dam. We willbegin releasing water at 1500-1800 cfs beginning […]
Oct 31, 2009
West River Hydropower Proposal Meetings Scheduled
A private hydropower company has proposed to install hydropower generation facilities in two Army Corps of Engineers Dams on the West River (VT), including Ball Mountain Dam which provides releases […]
Jul 31, 2009
TNC Investigates Flow Improvements in New England
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is currently investigating opportunities for restoring natural functions to the Connecticut River Watershed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. TNC’s efforts are focused on reconnecting rivers […]
Jun 25, 2009
West River Releases June 27,28!
There will be a release from Ball Mountain Dam on the West River this weekend to manage reservoir levels. Ramping will start late Friday (6/26/2009) afternoon. Flows are expected to […]
Apr 16, 2009
West River Update (VT)
By this time many paddlers are well aware that there will be no spring scheduled whitewater release on Vermont’s West River for the first time in decades. For over four […]
Mar 26, 2009
Army Corps Torpedo’s West River Releases (VT)
Paddling representatives were shocked this week to receive a letter from Richard Carlson of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) stating that the spring release on the Vermont’s popular West […]
Dec 2, 2000
Lower Yough – Coroner’s inquest on Dimple Rock
Yough Coroner’s Inquest Reports:On November 28th I attended the coroner’s inquest into the three drownings that occurred on the Lower Youghiogheny at Dimple Rapid this past summer. Dr. Philip Reilly, […]












