Piscataquog, North Branch
Lake Horace to Everett Reservoir
| Difficulty | II-III+(IV) |
| Length | 6.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 42 fpm |
| Gauge | South Branch Piscataquog River Near Goffstown, Nh |
| Flow Rate as of 29 minutes | 182 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 18, 2025 |
River Description
Fall Drawdown Release
On a Saturday in mid-October, approximately 450 cubic feet per second (cfs) will be released into the North Branch of the Piscataquog River from the Horace Lake Dam in Weare.
This release starts at 8 AM and will be reduced to near normal levels by 4 PM that same day. The level may drop earlier if there is not enough water in the lake. DES reminds people that canoeing and kayaking have inherent risks, and paddling the state’s lakes and rivers is at the paddler’s own risk.
This is a 7+ mile, class III-III+ combination of technical drops, swiftly moving water and flat water through woods and scenic countryside. The river is narrow, less then 20' wide in many spots, providing a tight-but-passable run with many branches and blow downs that can protrude into the river. At times a paddler has to move carefully and occasionally pull off to scout or to portage an obstacle.
Here is a recent video of the entire run to Peaslee Rd.
https://youtu.be/NWc6OGufgqI?si=VgnhsFkV9FT0\_oab
The river starts with a bang in swiftly moving water, channels through the trees, and few eddies. It quickly takes paddlers to the first class III drop, Slab City Ledge, and short-but-intense abrupt drop visible from the second bridge. Most paddlers opt to paddle center or far-left just kissing the wave-hole along the edge. The right side is full of rocks.
The next drop, Woodbury, offers a technical slide for the canoers and a creeky side run for the kayakers. It's followed by a number of smaller rapids.
About half-way down the river is the 'Big One', a big wide-open double-ledge slide-drop at the remains of an old mill. It starts with a slight drop over the remains of a dam, down the double-ledge slide, then a run-out through more rapids and holes. Most paddlers follow the curler down a rocky bouncy route and then through some holes at the bottom. The river is sh
...River Features
Put In
Slab City Ledge
This is the site of a former dam. The drop is about 8 vertical feet and is best run slightly river left of center right into a ski jump roostertail. If you run too far right of center you will piton off a piece of protruding ledge. Just below the drop there is a good eddy on river left right beside a great play hole/wave (Slab City).
Slab City Surf
Great play spot just downstream of the First Drop Ledge. Eddy out river left to access the hole/wave.
Chase Mill Rapid
Four-tenths of a mile after the gage the river passes under the New Hampshire Route 114 bridge. Shortly thereafter at mile 1.5 is the start of Chase Mill Rapid. Named after the mill site that once occupied this stretch of river. Chase Mill is rather straight forward with multiple routes through broken ledge and boulders. Be careful here since strainers are common.
Woodbury
Another quarter mile paddle will bring you up to Woodbury Rapid. Once again this is another mill site that washed out in the great flood of 1938, there is evidence of the former mill buildings on river left of the rapid but be respectfull of the current landowners property here. The rapid starts out with a small constricted ledge drop at river center and continues through a series of holes and drops right up to the Woodbury Road bridge. Keep in mind that this rapid is also notorious for collecting strainers.
The Big One
At a hard left turn you will come up to the most visually impressive drop on the North Branch. The Big One is the site of yet another former mill dam. At the very top of the drop is a nice playable river wide hole/wave but be aware of the chaos that awaits you below. Since the river is fairly wide here it takes a lot of water to keep you from scraping your hull. The most fluid run is just left of center over a couple good ledge drops then continues another 50 or so yards over a gradual downhill slide. The water here is shallow and chaotic. Near the bottom there is a large hole jutting out from river right that is easy to punch through. Far river left there is a smaller hole jutting out from river left that can be very sticky at certain levels.
Buzzell Hill Rapid
After 'The Big One' you will pass under the New Hampshire Rt 77 Bridge. Another mile or so of class IIish water will bring you up to a rusty steel truss bridge that carries River Road. Just under the bridge is the top of Buzzell Hill Rapid. This rapid is fairly long with a series of ledge drops each followed by a hole. A competent boater should be able to boat scout the entire drop. At the bottom there is a nice recovery eddy.
Turnover Ledge / Hole
A little less than half a mile from Buzzell Hill you will encounter Turnover Ledge. This is a fairly straight forward double ledge drop with a rather sticky but playfull hydraulic at the bottom on river right. This hole is quit dynamic and will flip boaters end to end hence lending its name... Turnover.
Upper Take-out
The first take-out is where the river passes under Peaslee Road. There is limited parking here and no privacy. The river below this point is class II-III with quickwater and some flatwater between each rapid.
Middle Take-out
The middle take-out is where the river passes under East Weare Road (dirt), a quarter-mile from the main road (called Barnard Hill Road on some maps). This road is full of deep potholes and water hazards due to beavers. It is sometimes gated on both ends requiring a long carry to your car.
Lower Take-out
The lower take-out is another 1.5 miles down East Weare Road from the middle take-out; or from Route 77, turn right on South Sugar Road, drive to the end, then left and a short distance to the take-out. This is just above where the river flows into Everett Lake.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportLazy GPS address for the put-in: 43.107801702340964, -71.77100479602814 Roughly near the corner of E. Shore, Nichols, and Resevoir
And for the Peaslee Road takeout (respect driveways and private property near there).
10 Peaslee Rd, Weare, NH
43.108299082681896,-71.70909404754639
The dam inflow information page on the flow page seems to be down. This page also has information under the project status information at the bottom https://reservoircontrol.usace.army.mil/NE/pls/cwmsweb/cwms\_web.cwmsweb.cwmsindex
Three weeks after the last release there are now two portages needed for river wide strainers. Boat scout carefully and check buzzell's during the shuttle.
During the 2018 drawdown of Horace Lake, I ran into one of the homeowners near the upper takeout on Peaslee Rd. She was very frustrated by paddlers who were unknowingly using her driveway and property for parking. The small dirt road and grassy area on the right just before the Peaslee Rd bridge is private property. Please respect private property so we can continue to paddle this great little river. It is also possible to take out on river left and walk across the bridge.
Is it debatable that this river and ALL rapids (at the standard release level of 400-500 cfs) are at best strong Class III rapids? I ask, not to be pernicious, but to preserve the true awesomeness of genuine Class IV whitewater in New England.
You will need to keep an eye out for strainers on this river. Although, on this day we were able to make it around (or under) all hazards without portaging.
Perhaps the most difficult drop on this section of river, the tongue right of the pour-over sends the paddler into a powerful diagonal wave.
Perhaps the hardest drop on the river, a tongue right of the pour-over takes the paddler into a powerful diagonal wave.
The first major drop on the river. It can be viewed at a distance from a bridge over the river while driving up to the dam.
The first major drop on the river. It can be viewed at a distance from a bridge over the river while driving up to the dam.