Ammonoosuc
2. Littleton to Lisbon
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 19 fpm |
| Gauge | Ammonoosuc River at Bethlehem Junction, Nh |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 176 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 3, 2020 |
River Description
This is an easy stretch of the Ammonoosuc River suitable for novice paddlers. Route 302 parallels the entire stretch, making for easy scouting. A paddler can continue downstream another 7 miles to the Bath covered bridge, where rapids diminish to occasional class I.
Directions
Put in
From southern NH, take Interstate 93 north approximately 85 miles north of Concord
Take exit 41 Littleton/Whitefield
Take a right onto Cottage Street at the end of the ramp
1/2 mile take a left at Riverglen Lane just before the bridge over the Ammo
Drive past the ledges and covered foot bridge and park in the gravel lot at the end of the road.
Put in anywhere below the foot bridge.
Take out
Go back to Main Street and take a left
Drive approximately 5 miles west on route 302/10 to the takeout on the left just after Fireside Hearth and Leisure and just above the Streeter Pond Rd bridge over the river.
Shuttle
The Ammonossuc Rail Trail parallels the river on the south side the entire way making for a convenient bike shuttle. Just cross over at Streeter Pond bridge just downstream from the takeout.
River Features
Littleton Ledges
Putting in just below the covered foot bridge in town leads to a series of small ledges making for some good play opportunities at any flow level. This section continues down past two more foot bridges and the old Saranac glove factory.
Just above the traditional put in for this section are a series of sporty ledges great for creek training and just plain fun overall. You may have a significant audience in this area with several restaurants and coffee shops overlooking the ledges.
Coin Slot
After passing under the bridge on Industrial Park Rd. the river splits. At most levels the left route has the most flow. The other channel will re-emerge at the interstate 93 bridge. Continue another half mile on easy quickwater but keep a lookout for 'Coin Slot'. Coin Slot is a rather large stickey hole that extends half way across the river from river right. Pass on left.
Hole Depot
Excellent play hole / wave located at a ledge drop behind the Home Depot. There is no easy access from the Home Depot at this time and the business is not visible from the river.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWe canoed this today (8/4/2008) in 973 cfs at the Bethlehem gage. Excellent water levels. Some maneuvering around submerged rocks was necessary. The section below the ledges in Littleton started off with some class 3. We put in below the wooden foot bridge in the center of town and took out at a large rock on the right above the buoys of the Lisbon Dam. It took us about 2 hours to cover the total distance 17.4 km.
This is a great run with high water levels.
There are many play waves and holes just after the putin.
Great play hole at lower levels
Typical drop on the Lower Ledge section