Summer Day on Fife Brook - June 23, 2102

It rained on the way out.  It rained on the way back.  In between, we had a great day (sunny and warm) on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River.

Surfing at Carbis Bend

This was my first trip to the Deerfield since the extensive flooding on the Deerfield during Hurricane Irene last year.  We had a small group – Earl, Jeff, Paul and me. The release was scheduled to be 800 cfs, but it was closer to 900 cfs on the Charlemont gage.  Not a bad level, but I don't think I would want to run it much lower.

We ran the shuttle and got on the river around 11:00.  I had heard that there would be a lot of changes as a result of the flooding, but I was still surprised at how much had changed. 

• Hangover Helper at the start of the run was bigger, but there is an easy line to the right. 
• Carbis Bend has a much smaller surf wave, and the midstream rock that was great for side surfing is gone.
• The wave train and surf hole above the railroad bridge at Freight Train are gone, although a new surf spot developed at the ledge downstream
• Pinball is unaffected, but the wave trains and surf spots below it around Miami Beach are gone.

Some of the biggest changes occurred around Zoar Gap. The Gap is now considerably narrower, and the sneak route on the far right is gone – filled with rocks from the reconstruction of the road above. The easiest line, and the one I took, is now center right. The left line is still there - maybe I’ll try it next time.

Links:

RICKA crew runs Zoar Gap

My Pictures

Fife Brook Releases Schedule

Charlemont Gage