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Running Whipple Drop on the Branch River


Piscat Drawdown and BBQ

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WW Message Board

WW Chair: paul_leclerc@hotmail.com  

 

What's New ! 

July 18/19 Dead/ Kennebec Rivers, The Forks, ME. Dead River 2400 Class III with two IV’s at the end. Suitable for Intermediate +. Kennebec River, Class IV. Suitable or Advanced Intermediate/Expert. Must have a dependable roll. This is an overnight camping trip. 

August 1st & 2nd Dryway section of Deerfield River, Charlemont, MA. Class III/IV. Suitable for
Intermediate +. Camping is available.

September 19/20 West River, Jamaica, Vermont. Class III. Suitable for Intermediate. Two runs over the dam followed by the class II section on the last run.

September 5-7 Fork Fest: Canada Falls, Dead & Kennebec Rivers, The Forks, ME. All Class IV. Suitable for Expert only. This is an overnight camping trip. 

September 19/20 Dead & Kennebec Rivers, The Forks, ME. Dead River 3500 Class III/IV.Suitable for Intermediate +. Kennebec River, Class IV. Suitable or Advanced Intermediate/Expert. Must have a dependable roll. This is an overnight camping trip. 

October 17 North Branch of the Piscataquog River, Weare, NH. Class II with Class III (IV) features. Suitable for Intermediate.

October 24 Little Suncoook River, Epsom, NH. Class II/III. Suitable for Advanced Beginner/Intermediate. 

Note: The Dryway runs most weekends throughout the Summer. Trips may not be posted. If interested in this or any of the above please email the WW Chair paul_leclerc@hotmail.com  .
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Dam releases are a guaranteed opportunities to paddle whitewater.


Here are the 2026 dates for some of the dam releases in the area:


April 11/12: Millers River, Upper Section: Athol, MA. Class II/III - Advanced Beginner/Intermediate. Lower Section: Erving, MA. Class II/III and a strong IV - Intermediate. Can do one or both sections.
April 18/19: Westfield River, Huntington, MA. Class II (III) - suitable for beginners. We usually go on the Sunday.
May 2nd: Lower Otter Brook, Keene NH. Class II - suitable for beginners. We usually do 2 or 3 laps.
May 3rd: West River, Jamaica, VT. Class III. The West river is considered a step-up river into class III non-technical rapids. Suitable for Strong Advanced Beginner/Intermediate. A dependable roll is encouraged. The portage is long and arduous. We do two runs from the top and continue down the class II section on the second run. If the weather is not suitable on the 3rd, the West will take precedence over the Lower Otter.
June 6/7: Dead River/Kennebec River, West Forks ME. Overnight trip. The Dead (4000+) is a class III/IV - Intermediate. The class IV sections are long and difficult. The Gorge is mostly Class IV - Advanced Intermediate.
Natural flowing rivers (class III/IV) will be posted as they arise.

Check the Whitewater Message Board to see if we are going. These and other trips in the year will be posted as they arise on the WW Message Board.

RICKA welcomes all paddlers who wish to participate in a fun group activity in a responsible way. Whitewater trips will be announced on the message board or by email. 

Please review river descriptions on American Whitewater    for an appropriate match to your skill level. To ensure safety, coordinators will ask of your past experience on other rivers. Trip coordinators may strongly urge some boaters to stay off the river if you are not suitably equipped or do not have adequate experience. You the boater, however, are solely responsible for your own safety and the ultimate judge of your own skills. You should have prior quick water experience for beginner trips and should contact the trip coordinator beforehand.

 

Helmets and PFDs are mandatory.

Appropriate cold weather gear such as drysuits, wetsuits gloves and footwear are necessary, typically October through May. No bare feet or flip flops allowed during warmer months.

All kayaks and canoes should be equipped with float bags.

All boaters should have a throw rope and a whistle. 

Bailing scoops (canoes) and a tow line are recommended.

Water, food and drybags as needed.



Whitewater Classifications

 

MSG Board Paddles 

The WW message board is a public service to the paddling community. It will strive to have an open policy on postings.

Any board poster may initiate these paddles. Please be aware that RICKA club members may not know the paddler or know of his abilities. He may be wonderfully qualified, or he may be proposing something that is at the limit of his abilities. Paddlers should avoid rivers at flood stage and be aware of the dangers of fallen trees. You must use your own judgement when you choose to paddle whitewater.

Anytime you choose to paddle: you alone are responsible for your own safety. Familiarize yourself with river levels and descriptions. Assess your own skill level and the people that you will be paddling with. You can always go home for the day or walk around a difficult rapid. Educate yourself about safety and carry appropriate gear, clothes, water, food etc. Ask the trip coordinator questions before embarking.

            

For Problems with this site contact the Webmaster

Any paddle sport is an assumed risk sport. Some aspects of canoeing and kayaking involve the risk  of serious injury or death. The Rhode Island Canoe/Kayak Association (Rhode Island Canoe Association, Inc.), although safety conscious, cannot guarantee your personal safety in club activities. Each participant is responsible for his or her own training in boating and rescue techniques, equipment, and personal well-being when engaging in or attending club-organized activities.

We are pleased to announce that RICKA is  an American Whitewater Affiliate Club.
RICKA members can now join American Whitewater for a discounted rate!
We hope you will take advantage of these savings and support this great organization.
You can find additional informatiom here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WW Pages created 4/10/2005