Winnipesaukee

The strainer at Railroad has been removed. While doing so, it was noticed that a large granite block at the base of the center bridge abutment has become dislodged. This creates a huge gap between the granite blocks. The gap faces upstream and could trap a boater. If running the right chute at this bridge, avoid coming close to the bridge abutment. Scouting is advised, this hazard has the potential to cause a fatality. See picture.

For those who do not know there is a strainer against the first bridge abutment (river right) on the railroad rapid below Colesium. It is a tree that extends on both sides and presents a hazard if you are not far left or far right hugging the bank. The tree does extend into the hole a few feet river right that may not be visible at certain levels. I ran it on Sunday at 1700cfs and was able to sneak to the right without much trouble but class IV skills are neccessary at this level.

There's a dangerous strainer immediately below colliseum blocking most of the middle left of the river. Easily avoided if you are far left trying to catch the eddy before the wall but could be bad news for anyone swinging too wide around the first corner or trying to ferry back to river left from the eddy above colliseum. The center right route looks clear. Get the word out before the New Year's Winni run please.

There is a strainer (log, no branches) running a third or a quarter way across the river on river right, between Sulphite and Zippy's. For the exact location, find the large eddy on river left that most people pop into before running Zippy's. The strainer is on the opposite side of the river, about 100 or 200 yards upstream. This strainer can be easily avoided, as most people run this section river left, and the current generally takes you to the left side in that area. It can be scouted from the trail along the river.

There is a bad strainer in Sulphite Rapid. (Sulphite is the
second-to-last rapid, immediately above Zippy's.) The
strainer is about half-way thru the rapid; extending from
the left bank into the center of the river.

What makes this one a bit more problematic is that the
right-side of the river has a large hole in it, leaving only a
narrow channel directly in center of the river, and another
narrow channel far right. Because Sulphite starts with a
sharp right turn, the water and channel tends to throw a
boater to the left side of the river directly into the path of
the strainer.

Fortunately, everyone on yesterday's trip was sharp enough
to quickly work their way right and avoid the strainer. We've
had a few swims on that rapid during prior trips this year
and last. Had the strainer been there then we could have
easily had fatalities.

Also, the strainer near the bottom of Zippy's on the far
right is still in evidence.