Androscoggin
3. Pontook
| Difficulty | II |
| Length | 2.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 23 fpm |
| Permit | |
| Gauge | Androscoggin River at Errol, Nh |
| Flow Rate as of 42 minutes | 1780 cfsabove recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | September 22, 2024 |
River Description
A nice class II in the north woods of NH. Good place to see moose.
Technical info
Put in elevation........1154'Take out elevation......1100'Total drop..............54'Average drop/mile.......23'Distance................2.4 milesRiver width average.....75'River geology...........Small to medium granite bouldersRiver water quality.....Good, clarity fair to good.Scenery.................Good mountain and forest scenery.Wildlife................Deer, Moose, Merganzers, Blue herons, Bald eagles.Check out the Androscoggin River Watershed Council for more information on this river.
Summer Recreational Releases
The Pontook releases every weekend from Memorial day weekend
through two weekends following Labor Day.
Releases start at 10 am and conclude at 4pm
Directions
Erroll NH...Gateway town
Errol NH located in northern NH close to the Maine border offers a wide range boating opportunities all summer long. This area offers some of the most remote regions in the eastern US. Wildlife is plentiful and may include Moose, bear, Loons, Bald Eagles etc. In addition Lake Umbagog located just north of Errol is a federally protected National Wildlife Refuge.
The Errol rapid located on the east side of Errol is a short class II section good for training and novices. Saco Bound (Northern Waters) has set up a small outfit here on the western s
...River Features
Dam View rapids
The put in is located at Pontook dam. There is good access here with parking, picnic tables and bathrooms. Carry down just below the dam and put in here. During a release the tailrace from the dam can create some very large and powerfull waves. Downstream from here class I and II rapids over a very wide river bed are the norm.
Landslide
A landslide in late 2023 or early 2024 has dumped a large pile of strainers on river right. River center has several decent sized holes in a row that shouldn't be dangerous, however this feature chains into the road view rapids so a swim is likely to be long. Stay river left for an easy class II route.
Road View rapids
Just as the road comes into view are the most difficult rapids on this river segment. Very large waves and some holes on river left. At the end of this segment the river slacks off a bit until you reach Powerline.
Powerline
Easy class II rapid with some play on the waves.
Boffinger
The last rapid on the Pontook. Good waves and holes sprinkled about. River left provides the most sport. River right tends to be shallow. Once you reach Wheeler pool just below the bypass dam the rapids are over for this section. Paddle downstream around a small island then take out on river right at the Bowfinger public canoe access.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a report(Originally reported May 27, 2018) There is a 20 foot log near the beginning of the Pontook put in. The log like tree trunk is in river center and very difficult to see until you are on top of it. A raft was stuck and got off after much effort. We were upstream and did not realize the raft was on a log and assumed a rock. We should have been more careful. One of our kayaker was pinned to the trunk. Luckily the trunk moved after he took off his spray skirt and his boat filled with water. Both him and the boat flushed under the trunk. A young man from the raft was able to move the trunk a little so it is more visible and at more of an angle. I believe that they hope to go back and remove the trunk once the water level dropped. Thank you to the people on the raft for helping us in this difficult situation. [Edited by Streamkeeper.]
Reported by Tim Jones
Tuesday, July 17, 2018 12:52 PM
To: info@americanwhitewater.org
Subject: Andro Pontook hazard gone
The log hazard Undurr reported on May 27 is gone as of 7-15-18. Not sure exactly when it was removed.