Pride Day On the Deerfield - June 8, 2024

The crew at the put-in 

It was a day to show support LGBTQ+ folks, and to encourage everyone to get out and paddle. Who wouldn’t want to do that. Besides, it has been a while since I’ve done a run on the Fife Brook Section of the Deerfield River, so I was glad when Paul posted this trip on RICKA’s whitewater message board.

Deerfield River arises in southern VT and flows for 76-miles through VT and MA to join with the Connecticut River in Greenfield below Turners Falls. With over a 1,000-foot drop, hydroelectric development began in 1910 when the New England Power Company was formed to acquire water rights and build hydroelectric dams. There are now 10 dams on the Deerfield operated by three different electric utilities. An innovative licensing agreement with these dam operators requires lots of recreational releases for whitewater paddling, rafting and tubing.

Hangover Helper

There are several sections of the Deerfield that are popular for whitewater paddling. Advanced paddlers often head to “The Dryway” in Monroe Bridge. This is a class III-IV section of river for experienced whitewater paddlers. RICKA has several paddlers who paddle the Dryway, but I’m not one of them.

We would be paddling the Fife Brook section, which is named for the Fife Brook Dam that controls its flow. It runs 9-miles from the dam down to the Shunpike Rest Area in Charlemont. It is mostly class II, with the exception of Zoar Gap in the middle which is class III. Since Pride Day is always a popular event we knew the river would be crowded.

Carbis Bend

I picked up Paul at 7:00 and we headed off to the river. It takes a couple of hours to get there, so it’s always nice to have someone along to share the ride. We arrived at the put-in at the Fife Brook Dam at around 10:00. Craig and Elliot were already there. We arranged the shuttle, and by 11:00 we were on the river.

The day was cloudy and windy with a few drops of rain. Temperatures were in the 60’s, so it was tough to know what to wear. I brought my wet suit with a slash top. Paul wore his dry suit. Both were good choices. The Fife Brook Dam was releasing at 800 cfs, and the gage in Charlemont was between 800 and 900 cfs.

Freight Train

Just downstream from the put-in is the first rapid known as “Hangover Helper”. At this rapid, a ledge extends across most of the river resulting in a 2-foot drop followed by a long wave train. If you’re still asleep, or perhaps a little hung-over, this rapid will wake you up fast. We ran the drop and played in the waves before moving downstream.

The next rapid - “Carbis Bend” - is similar but smaller. A ledge extends out from the left side of the river producing a couple of easy surf waves. Even those too timid to try surfing at Hangover Helper will generally give it a try at Carbis Bend, so it’s a popular place to stop.

Surf wave below Freight Train

Just downstream from Carbis Bend is a rapid known as “Freight Train”. This rapid starts with a long wave train and ends with a large surf wave. The rapid takes its name from the speed that many people build up running through the waves, and the railroad bridge just downstream that carries freight trains across the river.

After Freight Train is a rock garden known as “Pinball”. With scattered rocks and ledges, it’s a great place to practice eddy turns, peel outs and ferries. After Pinball is the Island Rapid. As the name describes, the river is split by an island. The usual route is to the left with large waves and fast moving water where the river reconnects at the end.

Island Rapid

After the Island Rapid comes Zoar Gap – the largest rapid on this section of the river. Zoar Gap has changed several times over the years. When I started paddling back in 2006 there was an easy sneak line on the far right. That went away with Tropical Storm Irene in 2012, and I usually eddied out at the top and tried to go right (with mixed success). After last year's flooding the left line got a lot easier. We all went left yesterday, and made it through fine.

After the gap, Craig and Elliot headed home, and Paul and I continued downstream to the Shunpike Rest Area. With the wind at our back it was a quick run. We stopped for sub’s on the way home at Georgio's Pizza in Greenfield. It’s a long ride, but for such a great day, it’s worth it.

Erik and Craig running Zoar Gap

Links:
My Pictures

My Video - Open boat runs at Zoar Gap
Fife Brook release schedule

Charlemont Gage

River description from American Whitewater