Warner

One-half mile below the put in, Melvin Mills starts upstream of a bridge then tumbles past a house built up on the remains of an old mill building. There is a short class III drop here into a large pool. Look out for debris on the river right side of this drop. There are a few more class II-III rapids for the next mile or so.

At the top of the pool a nice surfing wave forms at low and medium levels.

The second class III has a nice ledge in it with a hole on river right.

The third class III begins as the river flows away from the main road again.

There is a nice set of surfing waves in between the Third Class III and Pinball Rapids.

A long technical rapid with lots of rocks and holes to avoid. The rapid starts out mildly just as the river turns away from the road and passes the first set of old bridge abutments.

The last bit of Pinball is the most difficult. The route gets steeper and very fast with large rocks in the middle of the fastest channels. At high levels this section becomes very fluid and pushy. Some paddlers however consider it easier at higher levels since you can paddle over the rocks.

Shortly after Pinball look for a horizon line with a bridge and small buildings on river left. Scout this drop to find the best line. Here, there is the remains of an old mill/dam, there is also evidence here of a newer, yet still abandoned small scale hydro electric project.
(NH Dept Environmental Services
Dam Bureau ID 243.29, owned by Warner River Hydro). There is a concrete bypass on the far left that leads under a culvert then into the small hydro building. There is another steep narrow concrete sluice (4' wide)on the left. If you run the sluice turn your paddle parallel to the boat to avoid loosing it (or your arms) from the vertical concrete sidewalls. The sluice then drops into a hole and a trashy runout.

Note: As of 2005, there is an extra board in the sluice diverting some of the water to the side channel and making the sluice higher and steeper. A run over the dam instead of the sluice is recommended at all except high levels to avoid bottoming out and damaging one's boat. A portage is recommended for open boats and low and medium levels. Update 3/07: The board in the sluice has mostly been worn away by the river, however the board could be replaced by the dam owner at any time.

Either channel thru the bridge abutments provides a good run, however the left channel is more turbulant and washes up against a large rock on the bottom and requires quick maneuvering to avoid. Warning 4/22/07: There is a large log blocking both channels; extreme caution is recommended.

The paddler's gage is painted on the river right abutment of the Laing Bridge Lane bridge.

The Gorge is a longish rapid with anywhere from four-to-seven more-or-less distinct drops (depending upon water level and how you count). You can recognize the start of the gorge by the long rock wall on river left that used to be the base of an old and long gone mill building. The first drop is known as the Meltdown Hole, if you hug the right bank by the rock you will dive deep and pop up several feet downstream.

At medium and higher levels this drop can be paddled along the left or center as well. Be aware the center route runs
from left-to-right and tends to flip boats not lined up correctly.

There is a nice large pool/eddy at the bottom of the drop where you can pick up the pieces. The pool immediately leads up to the next drop. Several more drops continue for the next 1/4 mile.

The second major drop in the gorge can easily be boat scouted since it's steepness slows down the upstream current enough to approach the edge, while not being so steep you can't see what you're getting in to.

There is a small eddy along the right just below the initial drop, however it's difficult to enter since the drop curves to the left and momentum brings the boater into the second half (2B) of this section.

Drop 2B is formed about a dozen yards below 2A where the channel narrows and passes over a ledge. It's not as steep as the prior sections but the speed forms a good set of waves. A large eddy to the right is immediately below the drop where one can stop, pick up the pieces, and scout the next section. At higher levels drop 2B washes out a bit and the
entire 2A/2B section blends together
into one continuous set of waves.

Drop 3A is very similar in character to 2A. An abrupt steep drop that can be easily boat scouted. There is a large eddy to the right below the drop, however at medium and higher levels the area between sections 3A and 3B becomes a continuous set of waves and holes where momentum tends to carry boaters directly from 3A into drop 3B.

At Drop 3B, the channel curves to the left. The smoothest route is far left however it's difficult to get there since the channel guides the boater to the right side and over the steepest part of the drop. Water volume is not as high since some of the water is diverted thru sieves below the eddy between sections 3A and 3B. Below this drop are eddys on both sides of the channel where once can scout drop 4.

After the first series of abrupt drops the river character changes for the last part of the gorge. Instead of distinct and well-defined drops,
Gorge Drop 4 stretches out as a longish, technical, rocky and pushy rapid that demands superior river reading skills and quick reactions. At lower levels there is a large eddy between the upper and lower halves of this section.

At higher levels the two halves blur into one continuous and quick rapid. Open boats in particular find themselves quickly swept down this rapid teetering on the edge of disaster.

The bottom part of Drop 4 in the gorge is primarily defined by a large bridge abutment in the center of the channel. Either side of the abutment is a fine run, however getting to the right above the abutment is tricky since the channel usually pushes to the left. Below the abutment the left side is full of rocks and river debris so a paddler must quickly move the right.

The Upper Take-out is located just below the Gorge. Park anywhere along the flat stretch and paddle almost up to your car.

Halfway between the gorge and the last class III rapid there is an old hydro dam
(NH Dept Environmental Services
Dam Bureau ID 243.07). At medium and higher levels closed boats will enjoy the trip over the edge paddling left of center. Open boats are advised to only paddle this drop at medium or higher levels or risk damage to the boat. The dam can be easily portaged on the right. At high levels closed and open boats can paddle over the rocks along the far right. At very high levels a dangerous hydraulic forms at the base of the dam. Warning: During the warm summer months (the swimming season), a cable will extend across the top of the dam. It is provided by the dam owner as an important safety line for the many people including children who walk across the dam crest to swim and boat there. The cable will normally be taken down after each Labor Day. Since the cable (if
present) extends across at helmet height
it presents a hazard for paddlers At least one paddler snagged her helmet in the cable as she miss-judged the distance when dropping over the lip of the dam.
It is recommended that paddlers take turns with a partner lifting the cable up high out of harms way as one paddles over the dam.

Drawing showing pool below and eroded (now filled) cavity.
This dam, originally built in 1905 has recently been undergoing renovation and restoration. The current owner reinforced the weakened and eroded base of the dam with 250 tons concrete in 2001. It is his intent to maintain the area as a retreat and local summer swimming hole. According to the owner, immediately beyond the base of the dam the river bed drops off in a pool approximately five feet deep before becoming shallower again a short distance downstream of the dam. On the river left edge the old turbine has been recently excavated and is visible just below a new concrete platform. This turbine connected to gears and a shaft that extended up into the small mill building above. When in operation it generated only 50 horsepower.

After about a mile-and-a-quarter of flatwater, you'll come to the last Class III which brings you to the second take-out.
The longest on the river (at almost 1/2
mile), the rapid starts just past a curve in the river where it passes under the main road twice. Just above the bottom of the rapid you'll reach an old railroad bridge and the middle takeout. At medium and higher levels this rapid is a blast and well worth the long flatwater paddle to reach.

Near the bottom of the last class III (immediately above the bridge and take-out), be on the lookout for a hidden hole that extends almost completely across the river. Stay river-left for the cleanest route. The Middle Takeout is located here.

The middle take-out is by an old bridge found near the end of the last class III rapid (and immediately below the hole). Road access is easy from either side of the river, however the only parking is on the side road on river left. The class III rapids continue for another hundred yards or so beyond the takeout.

In between the middle and lower takeouts
is a 30 minute paddle thru flatwater, quickwater, and a couple class I rapids.
Portaging and/or dragging over a tree or two is usually required since the current flow is never strong enough to wash away strainers. At medium and higher levels the few class I rapids in this section wash out.

The Waterloo Take-out is by a covered bridge. Take-out on river left along the old railroad bed.

Just below the covered bridge at the Waterloo Takeout is the remains of another old mill dam plus one more difficult rapid. The falls are abrupt and full of debris from the mill so take care. The cleanest route is along the right. At high water hydraulics form at the base of the dam as well. Stay well away from the channel along the left edge as this flows into the remains of an old hydro building (with no safety grate). The falls can be easily portaged from the island in the middle of the channel.

At the base of Waterloo Falls is a longish class IV rapid. Run the falls along the right; the rapid is pushy at technical at lower levels. At high levels big waves and holes form.

Take out just below the Bottom Class IV along river-right. It is a steap 8 foot climb up the bank to the edge of the road.