Minnewawa
Marlborough recycling center to Otter Brook
| Difficulty | II-IV |
| Length | 4.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Ashuelot River Above the Branch, at Keene, Nh |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 8, 2025 |
River Description
The Minnewawa is a small river in southwestern NH. The river starts out with some class II, then approaches the old backwater swamp from an old delapidated dam. Portage the dam and run the class-V gorge below. Difficult rapids continue up to the hydro station just upstream of the bridge. The hydro station takes water from upstream through a buried pipe; there is not dam at the facility. Rapids ease somewhat below the bridge, mostly class II, but there are several more difficult sections. One of these is where the river swings behind 'Wilbur's General Store,' then passes under two bridges. The 'Gazebo' rapid starts at the second bridge and is a somewhat turbulent technical drop. At the next bridge crossing, 'Water Street,' take out on river right upstream of the bridge then carry around a concrete dam. Caution, the current is rather swift up to the lip of the dam. The dam could be runnable left of center with a good 'boof' move (shallow entry) over a 7' drop. About 1/4 mile downstream there is the remains of a delapidated dam. This should be boat-scoutable. After the dam the river takes a sharp right as the river piles up against a concrete wall that holds up route 101. The rest of the trip to Otter Brook contains mostly class-II rapids with diminishing intensity. Take out at the bridge just before Otter Brook or continue to a downstream left takeout just past the next Route 101 bridge.
Here is a recent video of open boaters paddling it.
River Features
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Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThe follwing report is from Dave Amato (Captain Chaos)
So it seems that the run is on,Tuesday (October) 13th.once again this is a
experimental run,Silver lake and Chessium pond will opened first then Howe
lake.Howe lake being the clss 5 Adams Gorge section.This is a section about 100
to 150 long but action packed,'I SHIT YOU NOT'As far as i know Nes has the first
D honors.This year i belive that will we will be looking at a few differnt
levels to run this section,but i cant confirm this.For this to happen you have
to have boat ih hand ,and ready to MEET THE BEAST.The dam opperator will not
have time to wait for you to wipe the poop for your bum.'That was me last year!
Last year the water didnt get to the main run until 2:00 so if your planning to
go, dont expect to get on until 2:00 .could be sooner ,but im not going to
commit to that.I didnt get a chance to check for strianers in any of this run.so
show up 'AT YOUR OWN RISK'.I am going to try to be there very early with
chainsaw in hand ,though im hopeing i dont have to use it.Im sure thats wishfull
thinking
I will try to post directions to Adams Gourge sometime soon so keep an eye out.
Also ,there is a 25 to 30 footer that some crazys are looking at the begining of
the run,not sure how thats going to turn out,last year we didnt have enough time
to set up saftey for lack of daylight,but who knows.I was told last year that
someone has already done the deed.if it was you ,Who ever you are 'YOU CRAZY
BASTARD' Give me a call.I would like some details.Thanks
If you are going to need any more imformation you can call me 603-608-9435