Branch River Icebreaker – March 16, 2019

Filling the boat at Whipple Drop

RICKA ran it’s first downriver race on the Branch River in 1980. Originally known as the Branch River Race, and later as the Rhode Island Whitewater Championships, for many years it was the first race on the NECRA schedule.  It lasted for 25-years until 2005 when it was discontinued due to high insurance costs and difficulties with land owners, but we still try to run the race course each year on the traditional third Saturday in March.

The weather was warm and the river was high (4.5 feet, 650 cfs.) for this year’s run. Four of us would be doing the trip – solo canoe – Chuck, tandem canoe – Erik and Bill, and kayak – Brian. We stopped for breakfast at Waterfall Café in Harrisville before running the shuttle.

Taking the left line at Glendale

There were a few trees down in the upper section, but nothing that we couldn’t paddle through. Whipple Drop was flowing well, and I got a lap full of water on the way through. Glendale was flowing as well, but there was a strainer in the middle blocking the main channel. Brian took a slow boney line to the right, and Chuck, Bill and I took a more exciting but still boney line to the left. We all made it through fine.  

There were some easy surf waves in the old slalom course below Glendale. Atlas Pallet running high, although Bill and I hit a rock trying to catch the eddy on the right side – go left next time. From there it is an easy run to the take-out.

Surfing at Atlas Pallet

Links:

My Pictures
Skye's Pictures at Glendale
Mike's Video on Facebook

Branch River Gage

River Description from American Whitewater