Flow Projections

Maybe this is old news to you, but I just came across a great tool for the avid paddler in the upper valley. The National Weather Service provides flow projections for larger rivers in the region a couple of days out, taking into account weather forecasts, ground conditions, recent precipitation and likely precipitation. As a former fluvial geomorphology student I'm totally geeking out. Our region is home to some epic high-water waves (and creeks) that are rather hard to catch. Relying on real-time data online from usgs gauges often leaves you missing out due to the fact that a few hours lag can translate into lost opportunity. The NWS service projects not just the stage height, but the timing of flow peaks etc. So for this most recent rain event you could check sunday when the rain started and determine that the Campbell Hole on the Williams would be in all day monday (especially the morning), the river left wave at Sharon dam on the White would come in for much of the same time (especially the afternoon), the cliff wave and the so-ro waves on the white probably wouldn't come in, and the 302 wavs on the Connecticut River would likely peak slightly later. So awesome! Here's what to look for:

Campbell Hole (Williams R): stage over 5 feet (~1k cfs).
RL Sharon Dam Wave (White R): stage over 7.5 ft (~5k cfs).
So-Ro Wave (White R): stage over 10 feet (~10k cfs).
Cliff Wave (White R): stage over 11 feet (~12k cfs).
302 Waves (Connecticut R): stage over 6.5 feet (~15k cfs).

So-Ro Wave: New Beta!

Hey Folks! Got some NEW BETA on the So-Ro Wave from Mike McDonnell. Check it out and enjoy!

Williams River

Hit the Campbell Hole today at about 2k. You should too. Excellent.

Leaf Peeper Hole- Quechee Gorge

Look just upstream from the bridge over Quechee Gorge.

There you will find Leaf Peeper. The last ledge above the pool under the bridge forms a fun hole at lower levels. It is touchy and it has a narrow window (350-450 cfs or so) but it will give up tons of linked cartwheels to the discerning paddler. Be warned: this is not a destination playspot. =)

To paddle at Leaf Peeper you need to run the gorge. See the details for the Well Enough Wave for more info. To get the best gauge go to the army corps website and navigate to the north hartland reservoir. Look for "inflow."

Cheers!

Butt cold quechee

So like an idiot I decided to head out to the well enough wave today at 25 degrees and breezy. Turned out a bit nippy for my taste as you can imagine. Bit nippy for anyone's taste as I didn't see a single tourist on the bridge the entire time I was on the run. Also it was only about 600 cfs which is a little on the low side for ease of surfing & eddy access. Beautiful day though for an idiot solo and no snow yet on the ground so the hike was easy. Hope you're enjoying the cold water... sharon dam and sign wave are still coming in, and of course the wells is running.

Jungle Bush Wave

Here's a good high water wave for those out in central vermont! The Jungle Bush Wave is on the first branch of the White River. Here's the info from local Mike McDonnell (used with permission):

"Jungle Bush always goes, but is best really juicy. It's not my first choice but I hit it if i don't have time to go elsewhere. Directly below the S-turn on route 110 at the chelsea/tunbridge line. Put in at the covered bridge .5mi above and take out at covered bridge .25 mile below. From upstream you'll come around a corner and see big trees overhanging the river from both sides, just a few feet above a good looking spot- Jungle Bush. I guess it goes without saying that Jungle Bush is not for everyone. But if you are willing to give it a try and can get used to it, you might just find that you like it and can have a lot of fun with it! I hit Jungle Bush all the time because it's handy- but it's not worth traveling far for- keep your eyes peeled in your own area- after all this is Vermont and we can assume there's a Jungle Bush or two in every town. With that said, i'm happy to share-"

Best gauge is tough to say. The White River at West Hartford gauge is a bit far downstream but there is probably only a few hours' lag on a high water day. Another gauge that is nearer and on a similar size drainage is Ayers Brook @ Randolph, or check East Orange Branch @ East Orange to see if a local storm hit the drainage (it's right nearby but a smaller stream).

Enjoy!

READER MAIL: Campbell Hole

AS OF SEPTEMBER 2011 CAMPBELL HOLE IS NOT SURFABLE DUE TO RIVERBED CHANGES FROM HURRICANE IRENE. ANY FURTHER INFO IS WELCOME.

Campbell hole at 2000 cfs

This just in from reader Arthur Keating: "Ok Ill give one up here……the Campbell Hole on the Williams River in Rockingham VT. Best hole in the area but limited windows. Typically 6-10 times per year, but get ready to hit it @ a moments notice as it peaks and drops quickly.  Use the Rockingham guage for the Williams and look for 1000 cfs. More move available than I can do, you can go left or right, decent eddy if you paddle hard, no big deal if you miss it, just hike back up. Best in the spring time as Okemo melts off. Or look for big rains in the summer... The Williams put in is in Rockingham. From the North it would be exit 6 off 91 take a left off the ramp.  Go 4-5 miles towards Chester, past the Vermont country Store and turn right @ the sign for the Rockingham animal hospital/vet. Go 1/4 mile to and park @ the covered bridge. Walk up the railroad tracks for 1/4 mile. And put in on the right. As you start to walk upstream on the rr tracks the river will be on your right. As you walk the river will bend away from the tracks and be out of sight for a few hundred yards. Put in where the river comes back to the tracks. Paddle down steam 100 yards and you are there." Got that dear readers? A good hole! In the upper valley!  Here's the gauge: Williams River @ Rockingham, VT USGS gauge 

NEW WAVE!

So big it casts a shadow: the wilder wave at 38k

It's always exhilarating to find a new wave and on Sunday I found one. Just below wilder dam at high water a huge, bouncy, dynamic wave forms, and reforms, and reforms. Good luck getting a long surf, but it will give up big moves and big air to the right boat & boater. Decent eddy access on RR. Just don't paddle up too close to the dam (munch)! Not sure of the range of flows but if you get on it, get in touch.

People! Hartlands is Running!

the view, coming from the north.

so folks, you may not realize it, but hartlands is running at a great level for surfing everyday for at least a couple of hours. but it's a little tricky. the flow forecast on H2Oline a day out is inaccurate. they are not predicting a release, but then they always release water. also, the release has regularly been a two or three tubes release, which is not normally considered good for surfing... back in the day the wilder dam would release one tube all day in the summer, but now it seems they've hired someone who is watching the grid demand a little more closely and they're timing a bigger release for shorter time period in order to sell the energy at the highest possible price. not ideal for us surfers, but you can catch the main drag wave for more than an hour while the water is rising to the full release. remember, hartlands is 4 hrs downstream of wilder. that means that the full release is attenuated over the miles of riverbed before it arrives, so it rises more slowly. get on it!

the put in

main drag wave from just upstream

the view while surfing... via cell phone camera.

the upstream view with the front of my tekno, best hands-free device there is.

this was the last day i'll spend paddling my riot tekno. just sold it, but got to enjoy it's superlative qualities out there one last time. carving back and forth across the face of the wave without paddle or hands. just edging back and forth. beautiful.

shalom

jolyon

have you seen these waves?

hey folks,

i know there are more playspots out there in the upper valley. here are some i'd like more photos of & info on for the site. if you know any of these, or others, shoot me an email. uppervalleysurf at dartmouth dot org. and of course any more photos, info on, or corrections of spots that are already up are always welcome. thanks!

bellows falls wave (CT R)

okemo hole in ludlow, vt (black R)

trailerpark wave (white R)

rinse & spin (CT R, hartlands)

bennetts (CT R, hartlands)

takeout wave & hole (CT R, hartlands)

woodstock waves (ottauquechee R)