Branch River Icebreaker - March 21, 2026

Heading downstream

As a nod to all the years that RICKA ran the Branch River Race, we always try to run the Branch River on the traditional third weekend in March. We call it the "Branch River Icebreaker", but there hasn’t been any ice to break for the past few years.

The Branch River Race, later the Rhode Island Whitewater Championship, was established by RICKA in 1980. It was the first race of the year on calendar of the NECKRA Downriver Series. The race continued for 25 years, but was eventually discontinued due to the high cost of insurance and problems with river access.

Mike running Whipple Drop

RICKA has continued the tradition of running a spring trip on the Branch River race course. This year we had three boats with four paddlers - me, Chuck, Mike and Aaron. The river was at a nice level - 4-feet, 400 cfs. The day was mostly sunny and relatively warm - it felt like spring.

We met at the put-in below the Stillwater Mill at 10:00 to run the shuttle. Since the usual take out along Nasonville Road is now posted “No Trespassing”, we decided to take out at the state boat ramp on the Slatersville Reservoir.

Erik running Glendale

We put in and paddled up to the Harrisville Dam before heading downstream. The first half of this trip is actually on the Clear River. There were a couple of blow downs in this upper section, but nothing that we had to portage around.

We ran Whipple Drop down the center and continued to Oakland, where the Branch River is formed at the confluence of the Clear and Chepachet Rivers.

Weaving through the strainers

After a break for lunch at the Oakland Dam we headed down to Glendale. The Glendale Rapid was flowing well. We all took the line generally left of center. I went a little too far left and had to back paddle off the rocks near the shore.

From there it is a nice quickwater run down to the Atlas Pallet Rapid. There were a lot of strainers in this section including one that we had to portage, and one that we ran but probably should have portaged. Aaron lost his camera into the river twice, but was able to recover it both times.

Chuck and Aaron running Atlas Pallet

I ran the Atlas Pallet Rapid left of center and made it through fine. I sat in the big shore eddy and got some pictures of Chuck, Aaron and Mike running the right of center line. The surf wave at the bottom wasn’t very retentive, so we continued downstream.

We portaged the Nasonville Dam and bounced out way down the rest of the easy rapids to Victory Highway. From there it is mostly flatwater as we paddled into to the Slaterville Reservoir to the take out.

The crew at the Oakland Dam - Chuck, Mike, Erik (kneeling) and Aaron

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Branch River Gage

River Description form American Whitewater

Branch River Icebreaker – March 15, 2025

Below the Harrisville Dam

As a nod to all the years that RICKA ran the Branch River Race, we always try to run the Branch River on the traditional third weekend in March. We call it the "Branch River Icebreaker", but there hasn’t been any ice to break for the past few years. 

The Branch River Race/Rhode Island Whitewater Championship was established by RICKA in 1980 and was always run on the third weekend in March. It was the first race of the year on calendar of the NECKRA Downriver Series. The race continued for 25 years, but was eventually discontinued due to the high cost of insurance and problems with river access.

Running Whipple Drop

For this year's Icebreaker we had eight paddlers in seven boats – three poling, three paddling solo and two paddling tandem. Mike H. joined us with his Royalex Wildfire, so I brought my Yellowstone Solo. With the low water it would have been easier to pole, but the Yellowstone was better for the portages.

We met at the put-in at the Stillwater Mill at 10:00 to run the shuttle. Since the usual take out is still posted “No Trespassing”, we were fortunate to be able to take out at Mike’s house. The river was low at 2.5 feet, 100 cfs – a good poling level, but not a great paddling level. Not the lowest that we have done, but pretty close.

Poling the Glendale Rapid

The first half of this trip is actually on the Clear River. There were a couple of good-size blowdowns in this section that we needed to carry over. I looked at Whipple Drop and took a pass. Everyone else ran it down the center and did fine. We continued downstream to Oakland, where the Branch is formed at the confluence of the Clear and Chepachet Rivers.

We took a break for lunch at the Oakland Dam before heading down to Glendale. With construction at the Victory Highway Bridge, we had to portage around a work platform floating in the river. The Glendale Rapid was shallow and very boney. Only Chuck was brave enough to run it – poling no less. The rest of us waded down the left side.

Running the Atlas Pallet Rapid

The quickwater section from Glendale to Atlas Pallet was very low. The polers did OK, but the paddlers bounced off rocks and struggled to find deep water. If you picked the wrong line you had to get out and drag your boat to deeper water. 

The Atlas Pallet Rapid looked OK, but it was also very shallow. I went first, took my usual left of center line, and got hung up on the rocks. I eventually worked myself free and made it down. The rest of the crew found deeper water on the right and had better luck.

Below the Nasonville Dam

It was easy paddling below Atlas Pallet as we got into the deadwater behind the Nasonville Dam. After portaging the dam, we were back in shallow water bouncing off rocks. Once we got past the Douglas Turnpike Bridge the water got deeper with the deadwater from the Slatersville Reservoir.

The take-out at Mike's house was a little muddy, but worked out fine. We dragged out boats up the path along the mill trench, loaded our boats and were on our way after another great trip.

The crew at the Oakland Dam

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Branch River Gage

River description from American Whitewater

Branch River - March 26, 2023

Jeff running Whipple Drop

Yesterday I was on the Scantic River to paddle the Scantic Spring Splash. Today I was on the Branch River to paddle the race course for the old Rhode Island Whitewater Championship.

The Branch River Race, later the Rhode Island Whitewater Championship, was established by RICKA in 1980 and was always run on the third weekend in March. It was the first race of the year on calendar of the NECKRA Downriver Series. The race continued for 25 years, but was eventually discontinued due to the high cost of insurance and problems with river access.

Mike running Glendale

RICKA has continued the tradition of running a spring trip on the Branch River. This year we were a week late and the group was small - me, Mike and Jeff. We met at the put-in below the Stillwater Mill at 10:00 to run the shuttle. Since the usual take out is now posted “No Trespassing”, we decided to take out a Mike’s house. The river was at 3-feet, 175 cfs. – low but runnable. The day was sunny and in the high 50’s/low 60's - it felt like spring.

The first half of this trip is actually on the Clear River. There were lots of blowdowns in this upper section. I got spun sideways on one strainer and dumped when the boat moved and I didn’t – second swim of the weekend, and the year. We ran Whipple Drop down the center and continued to Oakland, where the Branch is formed at the confluence of the Clear and Chepachet Rivers.

Jeff running Atlas Pallet

After portaging the Oakland Dam we headed down to Glendale. The Glendale Rapid was shallow and boney, but we bounced down using the left of center line. From there it is a nice quickwater run down to the Atlas Pallet rapid. We ran Atlas Pallet left of center and made it through fine.

The remainder of the trip is quickwater with one portage at the Nasonville Dam. The take-out at Mike's house worked out fine – “head straight for the fire station”. We often call this trip the Branch River "Icebreaker", but there was no ice to break this year!

The crew - Mike, Jeff and Erik - at the Oakland Portage

This picture earned us another poem from Tom on P-net.

!!!
From Idaho,
there’s a ghostly rustle.
Spiratoose Papa,
has grab ahold Mike Bussell!

To Have and Have Not?
I’d say what’s had here’s wicked style,
with The Old Man and I see,
melted Snows of to kill a man Rhode Isle. 
TW

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Branch River Gage

Trip Description from American Whitewater

Branch River Icebreaker - March 21, 2021

Up the Glendale Rapid

It has been seven-years since my last poling trip. From what I can tell, it was December 2014 with Matt McCay at Satan’s Kingdom. Not sure why I haven’t been poling since, but today I was out with Chuck, Mike and Matt H. for the annual Branch River Icebreaker, and it was a blast.

We were out on the Branch for the traditional third weekend in March, race weekend paddle. The weather was great – high 50’s and sunny. No ice to break on this trip. The level was low, but we have done lower. With a little rain on Friday it popped up to 2.5 feet, 150 cfs. It was a great level for poling, and the three drops (Whipple, Glendale and Atlas Pallet) were boney but runnable.

Running Glendale

Michelle dropped me off that the put-in around 10:00. Chuck and Matt were waiting, and Mike had already headed downstream. Matt and I poled up to the dam while we waited for Chuck to run the shuttle.

I was expecting to find a bunch of blow-downs above Whipple Drop, but those were gone. They were replaced by a bunch of blowdowns below Whipple drop. We made it through fine. We ran Whipple Drop with no problem, and took a short break at the Oakland Dam before heading down to Glendale and Atlas Pallet. It was a fun run.

Below the Nasonville Dam

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Branch River Gage

River description from American Whitewater

Branch River - December 27, 2020

Harrisville Dam

With the 2"-3" of rain that we received on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day all the rivers were running this weekend. With family obligations and my self-imposed limitation on car-shuttles, though, my options were limited. The Branch was up, it's close to home, Paul was available, and Michelle was willing to run the shuttle for me, so the Branch it was.

The Branch River technically arises in Oakland at the confluence of the Clear and Chepachet Rivers. From there it flows east for approximately 10-miles through Slatersville and Foresdale to its convergence with the Blackstone River in North Smithfield. 

 

Whipple Drop

The first half of this trip is actually on the Clear River. The Clear River arises in the swamps southeast of Wallum Lake in Burrillville and flows generally east for approximately 10-miles through Pascoag and Harrisville before converging with the Chepachet River in Oakland to form the Branch. The Nipmuc is a major tributary of the Clear River, converging with the Clear in Harrisville above the dam.  

We met at the put-in below the Stillwater Mill at 12:30 and were on the river around 1:00. The river rose to 7.5', 2,000 cfs on Saturday, but was down to a more reasonable level of 4.75', 650 cfs on Sunday – still the highest level that I have paddled it. The day was sunny and warm, at least in the early afternoon when the sun was high.

 

Oakland Dam

We paddled the short distance up to the Harrisville Dam before heading downstream. We hit a couple of river-wide blow-downs above Whipple Drop that we had to portage. I ran the Whipple drop to the right avoiding the rocks and big hole in the center. I did a little surfing below Whipple Drop, once again avoiding the biggest wave in the middle, before heading downstream.

There was one blow-down between Whipple Drop and Oakland that I decided to portage. Paul was able to work his way through on the left. When we arrived, I was glad to see water flowing over the Oakland Dam. Last time we were here the dam was high and dry with all the water flowing through the old Oakland Mill and down the raceway. A big log now blocks water from flowing though the gate into the mill, but it was unclear whether this was random piece of debris or was placed there intentionally.  

 

Atlas Pallet

After portaging the Oakland Dam we did a little surfing below the dam before heading down to Glendale. The Glendale Rapid was big and fluffy, and I ran it to the left, once again avoiding the big rocks in the middle. From there it is a nice quickwater run down to Atlas Pallet. I ran Atlas Pallet to the left and made it through fine. Paul went a little more to the right, and hit some rocks on the way down. After a little surfing below the rapid we headed downstream.

From there, it is quickwater with one portage at the Nasonville Dam. As the sun was setting the temperature dropped and my feet were starting to get cold. I was glad to see my car sitting at the take out.

Oakland Dam Portage

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Branch River Gage

River description from American Whitewater

Paddling Alone with Paul – Branch River – April 10, 2020

Paul running Whipple Drop

The virtual office closed early yesterday, so I took advantage of Thursday’s rain to paddle alone with Paul on the Branch River.  We arranged our own shuttles (thanks Michelle and Fran) and social distancing was maintained at all times. In fact, I barely talked to Paul. 

The level was 4’, 400 cfs.  We didn't paddle up to the dam, but we had easy runs through Whipple Drop, Glendale and Atlas Pallet. There were quite a few blow-downs, but only one that we had to carry over.

Room of Doom in the old Oakland Mill

We were surprised to see the changes at the Oakland Dam. The obstructions above the old mill are gone, and the entire river now flows through the mill into the old raceway. The Oakland Dam was high and dry. Based on the well-worn path through the mill, over the dam and into the woods on the other side of the river, it looks like it has been that way for a while. 

The impound above the dam has dropped a couple of feet, and below the dam the river is low until you get to the point where the raceway rejoins the river. From there down it didn’t seem to be any different. Mike said that this also happened back in the 1990's when he was running the Branch River Race, and that it will probably take a couple of years to clog back up with enough debris for water to flow over the dam again - we'll see.

Socially distant on the Oakland Dam

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Branch River Gage
Clear/Branch from American Whitewater

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

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

Branch River Gage

River Description from American Whitewater

Branch River Race/Rhode Island Whitewater Championship

Original RICA (RICKA) Logo

The Branch River Race, later known as the Rhode Island Whitewater Championship, was established by the Rhode Island Canoe Association (RICA, now RICKA) in 1980. For 25 years it was run on the third weekend in March - the first race of the year on calendar the New England Downriver Championship series (now the New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association).

This well-known race was run in accordance with American Canoe Association rules. All racers had to submit to safety inspections, and improperly equipped boats or paddlers were not be allowed to participate. All entrants were required to wear PFD’s, spray skirts (for kayaks) and helmets. Wetsuits and drysuits were strongly recommended, as were float bags in canoes and kayaks.

Original race logo

The base of operations for the race was the Townsman Club, later the Village Barn and now the Western Hotel. Classes were included for canoe and kayak, with classes for recreational, mixed, women and masters. There was even a “tavern” class competing for the coveted “Saloon Cup”.

The race was run on Rhode Island’s only whitewater river – the Clear and Branch from Harrisville to Nasonville. The 7-mile course began below the Route 107 Bridge and ended above the Slatersville Reservoir. It is mostly quickwater with some flatwater and four class II rapids.

Running Glendale

The first rapid was at the start below the Route 107 Bridge. The next rapid was about a half mile downstream at the Whipple Drop - a broken dam with a 2½-foot drop and a canoe-busting boulder about 25 feet downstream.

About 3½ miles downstream was the portage at the Oakland Dam. Below the dam, was a mile-long section of quickwater that led to the Glendale Rapid. This short, rocky rapid caused problems for new and experienced paddlers alike.

Running Mohegan (Atlas Pallet)

After another half mile of quickwater was the Mohegan (now called the Atlas Pallet) Rapid. This rocky drop changed at different water levels. It always required superior maneuvering skills but became easier as the water level rose. Another half mile downstream was the portage at the Nasonville Dam. After that, the remainder of the run was quickwater.

As with all RICKA events, safety was a principal concern. Safety checkpoints were set up at critical points along the route. From many years, the Ocean State Amateur Radio group partnered with RICKA to provide real-time communication between safety personnel on the racecourse, and those back at race headquarters.

25th Anniversary Poster

The Branch River Race was an important fundraiser for RICKA, and provided the opportunity for new paddlers to experience whitewater paddling using good safety practices under relatively controlled conditions. The race continued for 25 years, but eventually had to be discontinued due to the high cost of insurance and problems with river access.

Today, many RICKA paddlers still paddle the Clear and Branch on the traditional third weekend in March.

The Race Map

Branch River – September 29, 2018

Paul running Atlas Pallet Rapid

I was trying to decide where to paddle, and really didn't feel like driving, so I talked Paul into a local run on the Branch. Level was 4 feet / 500 cfs, which is as high as I have run it in a while. No bouncing off rocks, and I actually had to dump out the boat a couple of times. There were three strainers in the upper section – two we were able to paddle over due to the high water, one we had to portage.  Nice trip as always.

Surfing at the Atlas Pallet Rapid

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Branch River Gage

River Description from American Whitewater

Branch River Icebreaker – March 18, 2018

Running Whipple Drop

It was a balmy 23° as we met at the put-in in Harrisville. Mike decided it was too cold to paddle, but he did help us with the shuttle. It ended up being just Tommy and me, but we met Chuck who paddled up from the take-out, and Bill who met us for a burger at Gators Pub. Level was OK – 3.5’, 300 cfs. The river was pretty clear after it iced out in January, but with three recent Nor'easters there are a bunch of trees down now. Fortunately nothing that we needed to portage around. There is one strainer on river left at the bottom of Glendale that could be dangorous if you can't get over to the right. Good time as always.

Tommy running Glendale Rapid

Another great poem from canoeswithduckheads on P-net. 

From Ville to Ville,
of Harris to Nason,
many dam drops and boulders,
suit some for paddler displacin',

for where there once suited Santa,
Explorering a rock garden strut,
to thenst kneel before Whipple,
now arrests wickerbutt,

whilst other old RICKA's,
gone a RICA-c-split,
suit selves Souhegan and Wildfire
which dryly suits two outfit.

And addressing last portage,
appeared Riverstridin' refutin',
Rapunzel could drop longest lines,
for it abeards it must be Rasputin.
TW

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Branch River Gage

Branch River Icebreaker - March 18, 2017

Gearing up at the put in

Snow, ice, strainers and rocks pretty much describe yesterday’s trip on the Branch River.  There were four hardy paddlers - Bill and I (tandem in my Mohawk), Conrad (kayak) and Jonathan (solo canoe). The river was low (2.5 feet, 150 cfs), so we spent most of our time bouncing off rocks. 

Whipple was runable, although Bill and I got stuck half way through. There are a couple of strainers below Whipple Drop that need to be cut out – we had to carry around one.  There was lots of ice at portage at the Oakland Dam, but fortunately it was still thick enough to walk on.

Jonathan running Whipple Drop

Bill and I portaged the Glendale Rapid since there was no way we would get my big Mohawk through with the huge tree and wood in the middle of the rapid.  Conrad bumped is way down the right side, and Jonathan took the sneak route to far right.

Atlas Pallet was low, but runable, as was the small rapid below the Nasonville Dam.  The day ended with a beer and burger at Gator’s Pub. Not a bad way to end the winter 2017 paddling season.  On to spring!

Me and Bill below Glendale

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Branch River Gage

Branch River Icebreaker - March 22, 2015

Whipple Drop

It was windy and cold at the put-in for the start of our annual Branch River Icebreaker trip - cold enough to discourage some of the old-timers, and that is not easy to do.  Still we had 6 die-hards willing to make the trip – 3 canoes (me, Jon and Jeff) and 3 kayaks (Scott, Phil and Mike).

The river was low (2.5 feet, 150 cfs) as we put-in below the old Stillwater Mill.  We tried paddling upstream to the Harrisville Dam, but in the shallow water a gravel bar blocked our way.  At higher water levels the Branch is a quickwater stream with a couple of tricky class II rapids.  At this water level finding a channel with enough water to float the boat was the main challenge.

Nasonville

We bounced our way down Whipple Drop, and maneuvered around a couple of blow-downs on our way to the first portage at the Glendale Dam. This is the traditional lunch stop, but we skipped it and went to Gators Pub after the trip for a beer and a burger instead. I wouldn't mind that becoming a new tradition. 

I had my first swim of the year doing a seal launch at Oakland. It was a small icy hill and my boat took off before I could pick up my paddle. Fortunately I was only in about 8 inches of water.

At the take-out

A couple of the crew bounced down the rocks in what is usually a fun rapid at Gendale.  I spared my boat and carried around.  We picked our way through the shallows down to Atlas Pallet where everyone was able to run the rapid.  From there there is an easy carry at Nasonville, and then an easy paddle to the take-out.  Fun day.

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Forestdale Gage

Branch River Icebreaker - March 22, 2014

Tommy running Whipple Drop

We call it the Branch River Icebreaker, but we really don’t expect to find ice.  This year there was, which gives you an idea of how cold this winter actually was.

We had a nice crew for our annual Branch River trip – 6 canoes (1 tandem – Jonathan and Ellen, 2 solo – Erik and Jeff, and 3 poling – Mike, Chuck and Tommy) and 3 kayaks (Andy, Bob and Ric).  The river was at a nice level – 3 feet, 275 cfs - little low, but still fluid.

We met at the new put-in below the Stillwater Mill complex.  Once everyone found it, it worked out great.  It was much easier than climbing over the fence and lugging boats down the steep bank up by the dam.  We paddled up to the dam, and I carried my boat up to run the first rapid under the bridge.

Bob running Atlas Pallet

The trip downstream was pleasant and uneventful.  Running Whipple Drop was easy, but it was tough to surf at this level. We found a little ice on the approach to the Oakland Dam.  Fortunately, it was still thick enough to walk on.  Glendale was boney and caused trouble for a couple paddlers, but everyone made it through fine. Atlas Pallet was a straight-shot down the middle.

It started to rain as we approached the portage at the Nasonville Dam, but by the time we reached the take-out, the clouds had cleared and the sun was shining.  Spring arrived just in time!

The crew takes a break at the Oakland Dam

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Forestdale Gage

It was a two-boat day – June 10, 2013

Pulling Chuck's boat free

The Paddle Across Rhode Island ended badly for everyone, but especially for Chuck whose boat got pinned below the Atlas Pallet Rapid.  With nothing to do but go back to work, I jumped at the opportunity to help Chuck get his boat unpinned on Monday morning. 

We met at 10:00 at the Burrillville Middle School and hiked up the trail to the Atlas Pallet Rapid.  Jim paddled his boat up, and was able to climb up on the pile of debris that Chuck’s boat was pinned against.  I threw him a rope, he tied it onto the boat, and we started to pull.  Within minutes we pulled the boat free.  All boats should come free that easy.

The second boat is unpinned

With the river at great level and Chuck's boat free, Paul and I decided to do run down the Branch River.  We put in at the new boat launch below the Stillwater Mill.  The river was at a nice level – around 4 feet, 600 cfs.

Just below the Oakland Dam we found another pinned canoe that we were able to release. A cell phone in an otter box attached to the thwart still worked, so Paul was able to track down the owners. It seems they put in just above the Oakland Dam and promptly swamped in the flooded river. The canoe went over the dam and got pinned against the trees where we found it – along with two life jackets. Fortunately, the owners were able to get to shore safely.

Glendale rapid was fun – ran it just left of center.  Atlas Pallet was nice as well – ran it nice down the middle.  Good time.  

Surfing at Atlas Pallet

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Freeing Chuck's Boat
Running the Branch
Branch River Gage