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Blackwater, NH

Route 127 to Snyder's Mill

Class II-IV

2.5 Miles

Avg Gradient 32 fpm

Max Gradient 65 fpm

Just below Blackwater dam

Just below Blackwater dam
Photo of Butch Mixon by Mark Lacroix @ 800 cfs

Min Sug. Level:

400 cfs

Max Sug. Level:

2000 cfs

River Description

The Blackwater is located in Webster NH just west of Concord. The river alternates between flat water and violent drops. From the put in to Clothespin bridge the river has a few class I and II drops with play waves. Once Clothespin bridge comes into view, then its time for the novices to take out. The river then becomes more difficult with each drop. See description below. There is a class V-VI rapid just below Blackwater dam just upstream from the normal put-in. This rapid is short but very steep requiring a lot of manuevering around pinning rocks and big holes.

Technical info

Put in elevation........470'
Take out elevation......350'
Total drop..............120'
Average drop/mile.......32'
1st mile................10'
2nd mile................30'
3rd mile................30'
3.8 mile................50'
Distance................3.8 miles
River width average.....35'
River geology...........Granite ledge, small to medium boulders
River water quality.....Good to excellent, clarity good to excellent.
Scenery.................Good forested scenery, a few homes and camps along the way. 
Wildlife................Deer, Merganzers, Blue herons.

Directions

Put in

Interstate 93 to exit 17 north of Concord.
Take the US-4 exit, exit number 17, towards US-3/PENACOOK/RT-132/BOSCAWEN.
Keep RIGHT at the fork in the ramp.
Go west on US-4 for approximately 4.5 miles
Turn LEFT onto WATER ST proceed for 5 miles. Water street turns into Long street
At the intersection of NH 127 take a left.
In less than 2 miles look for the Webster elementary school on your left shortly after you cross over the Blackwater river.
The put-in is behind the school.

Take out

Continue heading south on 127 pass the school for approximately 2 miles.
Shortly after the intersection with Tyler Road, park on the left where you can see the river down the embankment.

StreamTeam Status: verified

Last Updated: 2008-03-02 15:08:51