Woodstock Waves

There are high water waves on the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont below the Elm street bridge. The best levels are not well known. Suffice to say... HIGH! A friend of mine has surfed here when the inflow gauge on quechee gorge was at about 3000 cfs. That's a ways downstream, but probably a good indicator of the low side. There used to be an online realtime usgs gauge upstream but it looks as if it's been decommissioned,  or at least de-linked. Hurricane Irene levels (100 year flood high) are probably the upper end for surfing here. The video above, from the hurricane, shows what things look like when the water is so high that the floodplains are getting cleaned of all their propane tanks. Not necessarily a good time to be on the water. But the waves look ridiculous. Good luck driving there on a day like that. I guess if the world were ending in a flood and you lived in Woodstock this might be a pretty good way to go out. Until then, look for high water and don't get arrested or clobbered by a propane tank. Any further info on these waves is welcome.

Bellows Falls Waves

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.

http://albraden.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Connecticut-River-NH-VT/G0000xr_oLokAVQ8/I0000OdgmTY01r_E

Nick goes big

Here's a photo update i've long neglected (sorry!) from local big-time paddler/mensch Nick Gottlieb on an early-season high-water day on the White River. Thanks for the photo Nick!

Going big on one of the many one-shot/hike&surf waves on the superlative white river at high water

Weekend Forecast & Flow Flash 4-29-11

Yo people! There is a ton of water out there this weekend, especially on the Connecticut -flooding- which is getting everything melting off the northern Whites! You can choose from Well Enough, Sharon Dam, 302 Waves (which are higher than i've ever seen them and I have to assume something good will be there), high water Hartlands, or Jungle Bush wave. Have fun!

302 session

The video isn't the highest quality, but it will help you get an idea of what the 302 waves are like.

Reader Mail: Moose River Wave

This just in from A.J. Seibel from up in the Northeast Kingdom (not usually considered part of the upper valley, but heck it's close and it's the same drainage, so we're not going to split hairs):  "Finally getting back to you with more info.  The wave is high-water only, and forms at the confluence of the Moose and Passumpsic rivers in St. JohnsburyVermont.  Here’s a link to location:  http://maps.google.com/maps?q=44.423207,-72.009426&num=1&sll=44.433611,-72.015&sspn=0.063757,0.128059&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=44.422356,-72.007409&spn=0.005885,0.01089&z=17 ... The Moose River at Victory VT gauge needs to be at 9.0 feet or higher [ed: that's 2000 cfs] for the wave to come in.  It really only happens 2 or three times per season.  I’m heading that way for a lunch break, I’ll see if I can get you a photo or two…" and after said lunchbreak: "Turns out that when the passumpsic is also high [ed: floodstage? ~7500cfs], the moose wave gets washed out.  Oh well... A.J. Seibel"


If any of you folks up north happen to catch this one we'd love some more info and or pictures!

Session: Sharon Dam Wave - River Left

Today was butt cold- complete with snow flurries, but a decent low level for the river left wave at sharon dam. Peace - Jolyon Pruszinski

Cliff Wave access warning

Beware paddlers considering park & play at the cliff wave on the white river. There is a very belligerent landowner that may call the cops on you if he is even under the impression that you might consider unknowingly walking over his alleged property. At this time we have to recommend running the whole normal lower White River (which ends at the west hartford bridge) and surfing as you head downstream. Though somewhat less convenient, this does have the silver lining of giving you the opportunity to hit a lot of great catch-on-the-fly waves in addition to cliff wave. Hope you don't have any troubles with this guy.

So-Ro Session

Hit the So-Ro wave today at the low end (~12000 cfs). Lots of short surfs (flushy & munchy). Nice wave though. No eddy access was not-so-nice.

HiWater FlowFlash 4-11-11

Alright, you've seen the weather. Temps are high, even overnight, now there's the first warm rain of the season, and tomorrow (monday) everything is going to be off the hook as far as I can tell. GO SURF!


Running now:
Well Enough Wave - Quechee Gorge
Sharon Dam RL Wave - White R
Campbell Hole - Williams R
Jungle Bush Wave - 1st Br. White R

Coming in Soon:
(and if these don't pan out i'm never going to believe the NWS again)
Cliff Wave - White R
So-Ro Wave - White R
302 Waves - CT R
Wilder Wave - CT R

Looks like a good start to the week.
Check your gauges before you head out.
Shalom
Jolyon

Flow Flash for 4-5-11

HEADS UP FOR TOMORROW (tuesday)! The National Weather Service is predicting spiking river levels all over the valley! Get on these waves when they come in!!




Likely surf forecast:
Well Enough Wave - Quechee Gorge - Tuesday onward
Bellows Falls Wave - Connecticut R - some of Tuesday
Campbell Hole - Williams R - all Tuesday
Jungle Bush Wave - 1st Br. White R - all Tuesday
Sharon Dam RL Wave - White R - Tuesday AM
CLIFF WAVE - WHITE R - TUESDAY PM
SO-RO WAVE - WHITE R - TUESDAY PM
Wilder Wave - Connecticut R - maybe Tues PM / Weds AM
302 Waves - Connecticut R - Weds & Thurs

be sure to check levels again before you head out.
SURFS UP! - Jolyon Pruszinski

The Weekend Forecast 3-12-11

With regional rain and levels on the rise we should get some good levels this weekend for cleaning the ice out of some more rivers and even some good boating!

RL Sharon Dam Wave

The White River looks like the best bet for this weekend. Sharon Dam should have a good wave all weekend (RR or RL) unless levels blowout to the high side (over 10k) in which case the cliff wave and so-ro wave will be in. Ice situation for jungle bush wave on the first branch is unconfirmed. if no ice it will probably run at least saturday, prob sunday too. Rising levels will put new ice in play so be on the lookout for the occasional berg or ice flow.

So-Ro Wave

Hartlands - The ice situation here is still a problem... if it flushes out over the weekend hartlands will likely be too high for the sign wave & definitely too high for the main drag wave

Quechee - The well enough wave is running nicely now, but with levels rising over the weekend I would stay away from quechee until the ice is off the backwater of the dam at the head of the gorge. Don't get crushed.

Mascoma River - Levels are too high for the excelsior hole for the weekend, but downtown hair is running at a nice class 5 level w. no ice. Also the normal river run from the Mascoma Lake dam down to excelsior should be good to go.

Williams River - The ice situation is unconfirmed on the williams at campbell hole, but levels suggest it is running now and may run saturday am too.

Bellows falls wave - levels look like they could work for this weekend but i'm going to wait for the ridiculously large ice jam upstream to flush out before i go here. Don't get crushed.

302 waves - These CT river waves in Woodsville will probably not have enough high-elevation melt this weekend to come in. Likely verdict: too low.

Have fun and stay safe out there!

It's Spring Again!

It's dumping rain, the air is sweet and spring is back again! Looks like the runoff will hit the big rivers by tomorrow (monday) 3-7-11. Most things are still iced in as of today but with levels rising overnight into the normal windows for good surfing, it seems likely that most of that ice is going to head south. Look for good flows for the Campbell Hole, Sharon Dam, and Well Enough Wave at the least. We may get good flows on Hartlands (sign wave) and Excelsior Hole (mascoma) as well. Be careful of ice shelves, ice flows, cold water and gnomes. It's all in play. It's spring! Send in any eye witness info on ice-free waves! UVSURF will be on the lookout and passing on all the info that comes in. Shalom people.

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.

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.

another 302 trip

dropping in at 19.5k.

dang it was cold today.

the front wave was great. blunts both sides, cartwheels etc.

ice cream headaches. that water was snow not very long ago.

shalom

jolyon