Deerfield
4) Bear Swamp to Zoar Gap(Fife Brook Section)
| Difficulty | II(III) |
| Length | 5.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 25 fpm |
| Gauge | Deerfield River at Charlemont, Ma |
| Flow Rate as of 15 minutes | 683 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 9, 2023 |
Projects
On October 5, 1994, American Whitewater signed a landmark settlement agreement with the New England Power Company, anglers, conservationists, and government agencies regarding the management of the Deerfield River (FERC P-2323). Located in Western Massachusetts, the Deerfield River is a classic whitewater run, and the settlement recognized its recreational, [...]Read More
River Description
The Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River is a popular Class II run in Northwestern Massachusetts. The Fife Brook section ends with the Class III Zoar Gap Rapid, that can be easily portaged along the road on river right.
Fife Brook is one of the best sections for instruction in the Northeast drawing those interested in learning to paddle whitewater from a wide geographic area. It's generally shallow, with a consistent class II rapids, good recovery pools or stretches, and the bigger challenge of Zoar Gap at the end which can be easily scouted or portaged.
Notes on Flow: The USGS gage is several miles downstream from this section and two major tributaries, the Chickley and the Cold, flow in between this run and the gage. Therefore the downstream USGS gage offers only limited insight on whether the river is flowing. The important information to know is whether the dam is releasing and Waterline offers this release schedule and an estimated flow. This is especially helpful during spring runoff when water is flowing over the dam or they are releasing when it is too high.
Look here for data: Deerfield Riv at Fife Brook Dam Florida MA. The following ranges are from Waterline and not from the USGS gage at Charlemont:
700-1000 cfs: a standard release level.
1000-1500: the river gets a bit bigger, but not much harder.
2000 cfs: significant sections of rapids wash out, and new holes develop. Rapids are not significantly more challenging (i.e. still class II) until Zoar Gap. Zoar Gap becomes a whole different beast and above 2500 cfs, Zoar Gap is very solid class IV big water; watch out for some nasty holes in Baby Gap that are backed up by huge eddies.
River Features
Fife Brook Dam Put-in
You can put in on river right near the dam at the end of the road where a stairway and raft slide leads down to the river. This access is primarily used by outfitters. Most boaters use the access point 0.1 downstream at the vehicle turn around and parking area.
Hangover Helper
Easy straightforward rapid with a big eddy to the left and medium-sized eddy on the right. A large pool at the bottom makes it easy to recover equipment for anyone who has issues.
Carbis Bend
Good surfing at the bottom of the drop. Large eddy and rock beach downstream on river left.
Freight Train
Nice surfing waves, good squirt lines at the bottom under the railroad bridge.
Pinball
Also known as Rock Garden. Medium size boulders in this long rapid are great for eddy practice.
Zoar Gap
Below Island Rapid the river is shallow and fast moving as you approach a sign that says 'Rapids Ahead, Portage/Take-Out.' Stop at this point if you want to scout or walk. To scout, walk along the road (beware of poison ivy growing into the road) until it becomes obvious you are at the gap.
Zoar Gap is by far the most constricted passage on this section of the Deerfield. An upper 'drop,' has an easy tongue on river right, and a pour-over river left. Ride the tongue down and either punch the two holes below, where the vast majority of the water flows, or cut hard right above the first hole to avoid them. A far right sneak route used to be an option, but high flows from Hurricane Irene modified the channel filling this line with shallow rocks.
More advanced paddlers can catch the eddy below the pour-over and then work river left, catching a boiling micro eddy just above the first hole.
Below the Gap is the 'Baby Gap' which is rock-dodging class II and is great for practicing eddy catching, ferrying, or attaining.
Zoar Picnic Area Take-Out
Take-out on river left at Zoar Picnic Area. A wide trail up river left immediately below the bridge is the first option. Another good access is available where a set of stairs ascends up from the river a short distance downstream of the bridge. This picnic area can get busy on summer weekends as it is also a popular gathering place for families and large groups with many who enjoy tubing.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportHere is some footage of the put in area of Fife on 6/1/25 at around 4000 cfs, after raining all day the day before.
In advance of the American Whitewater board meeting at Deerfield Festival, a few members of American Whitewater staff and board got out on the river for a Thursday afternoon summer release.
Zoar Gap
Taken from the Rt. 2 bridge under a full moon.
Carlos running the left line on Zoar Gap.
looks like fun
Fife brook is just about a perfect beginner stream. A nice splashy class 2 rapid at the top. Then pool drop class two until you get to the zoar gap rapid, a nice solid textbook class three. From the road the run looks like its nothing but flatwater, but I was pleastantly surprised. The current moves fast and there is quite a bit of class 2 play the whole way down. Once again, great for a beginner to practice ferry's, surfing and peel outs. With the big rapid in sight of the takeout, makes for a great way to cap off the run!!
The water is pretty chilly as a result of the damn release. We were wearing long sleave tops in August.
The guy that takes all of our pictures finally gets some video of his own!
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.