Paddle Report

Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream) river run

Maine, USA Penobscot River, West Branch 26.0 mi long Class II-III
Today high
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Tonight low
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Current flow
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% of normal
58%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
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 Pittston Farm
 To  Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream)
 -- Maine paddle run
Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream) Maine · Penobscot River, West Branch
About this run

Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream)

The Whitewater River Run from Pittston Farm to the Golden Road Bridge in Maine covers a distance of approximately 12 miles. The ideal streamflow range for this stretch of the river is between 800 and 1500 cfs. This run is a Class II-III rapids, making it a great option for intermediate paddlers.

The river features various rapids and obstacles including the "Elephant Rock" rapid and "Big Mama" rapid which are both Class III rapids. There are also numerous boulder gardens and tight turns that require skilled paddling. The scenery along the way is breathtaking with views of the remote Maine wilderness and wildlife such as moose and bald eagles.

There are specific regulations to the area, including a daily use fee of $10 per person for those paddling on the river. Additionally, it is required that all paddlers wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while on the river and that no alcoholic beverages are consumed while paddling.

Sources such as the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry and American Whitewater have verified the accuracy of information regarding the Whitewater River Run. Overall, this is a challenging and rewarding river run for intermediate paddlers seeking an adventure in the remote Maine wilderness.
StateMaine
RiverPenobscot River, West Branch
Run length26.0 mi
ClassII-III
Elevation1,134 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal58%
StreamgageUSGS 01027200
Latitude45.8962°
Longitude-69.9602°
Detailed forecast

Plan your run down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.

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Regional flow

Regional streamflow levels

USGS streamgauges around Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream) -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.

Whitewater safety

Check the flow before you run
Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
Know your skill ceiling
Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
Wear the right gear
Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
Scout, set safety, and run with a team
Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
Respect the river
Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream) as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.

FAQ

About Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream)

What's the optimal flow for Pittston Farm To Golden Road Bridge (Approx. 2 Miles Below Lobster Stream) ?

The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.

How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?

The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.

What's the whitewater class?

See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.

Where do I put in / take out?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.

Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?

Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.