West River - September 28, 2013

Waiting for my turn at a play spot

Had a good time yesterday with Paul on the upper section of the West River in Jamaica, VT.  The release was about 1,500 cfs.  Looking back, I’ve run it at that level before, but the waves seemed bigger than in the past.  I was constantly pulling over to empty my boat - I need to get a pump.

We did three runs that were mostly uneventful.  My only swim was about half way down Initiation. I started in the center, (should have started a little more to the left of the rock in the center) and went sideways into the big hole and in the middle.  Fortunately, I was able to get my boat near the shore eddy on the right side where Paul was able to grab it.  It might have gone a long way otherwise. 

We used the shuttle at the Jamaica State Park for the first time, and it worked out great.  It’s a bit of a hike up to the top of Initiation, but not as bad as hiking down the dam. 

A pretty section of the West River

Links:

My Pictures

River description from American Whitewater

West River gage

Squam Lake

Another NH camping location, and another place to avoid on weekends during the summer – Squam Lake.  Put in is on Metcalf Road off Route 113 near the trailhead for East Rattlesnake. The parking and trailheads for West Rattlesnake and Morgan/Percival are just up the road. Squam Lakes Association also has parking and campsites on the other side of the lake.

Lonsdale Marsh - September 8, 2013

I must have bad genes – or at least not "American" genes.  I tried watching the football game this afternoon, but it was too nice outside to be sitting in the house watching TV.  I decided to take my canoe out and paddle the Lonsdale Marsh.  It was a little windy but beautiful otherwise.  Why sit in the house?

Links:

My Pictures

Upper Wood River - September 7, 2013

It felt like Fall when I headed out this morning, but it turned out to be a great day.  It always helps to start the day off with a morning paddle.  I got together with Jim C, Jeff, Sharon and Jim S to paddle the upper Wood River from Route 165 in Exeter to the Wyoming Dam  (Route 138) in Richmond.  The river was at a nice level – 2 feet on the Hope Valley gage and 3 feet on the Arcadia gage.

We put in at about 9:30 and headed downstream.  The river starts out narrow as it twists and turns through the Arcadia State Forest.  It finally opens up as it approaches Frying Pan Pond, which was full of yellow daisies.  We portaged the Barberville Dam on the right (not enough water to run the small rapids on the left) and headed down to the Wyoming Dam. 

The trip was done by noon, and I was home around 1:30 to do some work around the house – can’t beat that.

Daisies blooming in Frying Pan Pond

Links:

My Pictures

Hope Valley Gage

Arcadia Gage

RICKA Picnic - Goddard Memorial State Park - August 24, 2013

I went to the RICKA Picnic yesterday at the Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick.  We put in near the beach on Greenwich Bay, and paddled around the point into Greenwich Cove.  There was a good wind blowing off the bay kicking up some easy 1-foot rollers. This could have been avoided if we put in at the boat ramp on the cove, but I liked it.  Once we turned the corner into the cove I was surprised to see how many boats there were in the marina.  We paddled to the end of the cove and a short ways up the Green River before turning back around.  It was a nice trip, followed by a great BBQ.

The flatwater crew on greenwich Cove 

Links:

My Pictures

Goddard Memorial State Park

Providence River – August 20, 2013

At the put-in

We had our last Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trip of the year on the Providence River in downtown Providence. 

We put in at the Bold Point access in East Providence and headed out across Providence Harbor towards the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. The water was calm with just a slight hint of some rolling waves. Century old pier pilings dot the surface. Rounding the corner we passed some tugboats before heading through the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier and into the Providence River. 

Riverwalk

I was surprised how developed the riverfront had become in this area. The lower section of the Providence River includes the Riverwalk. Passing through downtown Providence we will came to the confluence of the Woonasqatucket and Moshassuck Rivers. Bearing to the left we paddled up the Woonasqatucket River into the Basin at Waterplace Park. 

The tide was up, so a few people paddled further up the river to enjoy the sunset. I was content to enjoy the view from the Basin before heading back.

Fox Point Hurricane Barrier

Links:
My Pictures

Fife Brook Section of the Deerfield - August 17, 2013

Miami Beach

We did our annual RICKA Flatwater/Whitewater trip yesterday on the Fife Brook Section of the Deerfield. Release was at a little low – 850 cfs.

Since the turnout of flatwater paddlers was light, we decided to run the upper section.  Earl was nice enough to take a few flatwater paddlers down the lower section.  We had 7 boats – 3 canoes (Jim, John and me) and 4 kayaks (Bob, Tim, Pat and Byron) on the upper section.  The day was sunny and warm.

The trip itself was uneventfull.  We got delayed about a half an hour at the put-in waiting for the rafts and tubers to get started.  We had three successful runs at Zoar Gap, and one swim. 

Links:

My Pictures

My Video
John's Video on You Tube