Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch river run
Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
The class rating for this stretch of river varies from class II to class IV, depending on the section. The upper section, from the headwaters to Bowlin Camps, is mostly class II with some class III rapids. The middle section, from Bowlin Camps to the Grand Pitch, is primarily class III with some class IV rapids. The lower section, from the Grand Pitch to the confluence with the Penobscot River East Branch, is mostly class II and class III with a few class IV rapids.
Some of the notable rapids and obstacles on this river include Bowlin Falls, the Grand Pitch, Big A rapids, and the Staircase. These rapids range in difficulty from class III to class IV and require skilled paddling and maneuvering to navigate safely.
There are specific regulations in place for this area, including a limit on the number of paddlers per group and a requirement for a permit to access the river. Additionally, all paddlers are required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while on the water.
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.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
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.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Seboeis River Near Shin Pond | 363 cfs | → |
| East Branch Penobscot River At Grindstone | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Mattawamkeag River Near Mattawamkeag | 2,450 cfs | → |
| Piscataquis River At Medford | 1,930 cfs | → |
| North Branch Penobscot River Nr Pittston Farm | 237 cfs | → |
| Penobscot River At West Enfield | 12,800 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Boat launches
- Fredericka's Way Maine
- Golden Road Maine
- Its 85 Penobscot County
- Grand Lake Road Piscataquis County
- Sherman Lumber Co Road Penobscot County
- Lunkasoo Road Penobscot County
Other river runs
- Headwaters To Confluence With West Branch Penobscot River
- Ambajejus Falls To The End Of North And South Twin Lakes
- Bowlin Camps To Hay Brook
- Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
- Grand Lake Matagamon To Bowlin Camps
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 Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch 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.
About Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch
What's the optimal flow for Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch ?
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.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Headwaters To Confluence With Penobscot River, East Branch .