The waves in Bellows Falls are not all that well known, but at some levels they are ridiculous! The best known wave is right at the end of the dryway section of the river and comes in between approximately 15,000 cfs and 25,000 cfs. It is decent (spins & blunts) but not amazing. There are other BIG waves that come in at higher levels on the dryway but my personal experience is limited and info is sketchy. There's one big slightly breaking wave just about 50 yards upstream of the lower water wave near even with the head of what is an island at that level (30-35k total cfs). Huge air may be attained at ?ISLAND WAVE?, but it's a drop-in hike & surf option and I don't know the whole range when this wave is good. Then I've heard tell of an amazing wave under the bridge on the dryway at a level of 22 feet (which is ridiculously high, like 58,000 cfs) but that is entirely hearsay. Anyway, the Bellows Falls Dryway is an interesting place and for an experienced and inquisitive boater could serve up great surfing at a variety of high levels (it will certainly serve up the biggest bigwater paddling to be had in the region, even if it is over quickly).
seek and you will find
Speaking of levels... you can get good info on everything coming down the pike (through the powerhouse & the dryway combined) from the USGS gauge. The power company also puts out flow reports and predictions uses H2Oline, splitting out the current flow by what's in the dryway and what is coming through the powerhouse. AND The NWS puts out data on the 48-hr forecast here. To play at these waves described, drive over to the NH side of the river and park at the public lot at the base of the portage route. Paddle up (and over to river right) for the lower water wave and paddle/hike up for the island wave. If you're going to explore higher up the dryway there is the possibility of getting in trouble for trespassing (or more accurately, freaking people out who don't know all the ins and outs of our rather minor sport). Don't say I didn't warn you.
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