Visit 18-Mar-2024, River appeared medium-high, but I couldn't find any gauge to verify level. |
| OpenStreetMap of downtown Somersworth, NH and Berwick, ME. Route 9 crosses the river in the downtown area just upstream of the dams and whitewater. |
| 1. Berwick Kayak Launch, about 1/2 mile upstream of Route 9 Bridge. |
| 2. The next-door neighbors abuting the public kayak launch on the upstream side were very helpful with suggestions and directions. They said the river above the Route 9 bridge is used as a public water supply by both towns. |
| 3. The launch has steps leading down to the river; you can't back a boat trailer down. There are floats next to the launch in the Summer. |
| 4. The river appears deep here; it's possible some power boats use it as well. |
| 5. Just upstream of the Route 9 bridge there is no easy river access. |
| 6. The first dam is located about 100 years downstream of the Route 9 bridge. |
| 7. I was told by locals you can walk across the dam in the Summer. |
| 8. River-left just below the dam is starts with a Class IV drop. |
| 9. Unfortunately the class IV is not boatable due to strainers. |
| 10. On river-right is a power house controlling the divirsion canal. |
| 11. The canal extends down to the Aclara Plant. |
| 12. The first large building on river-right has class III rapids along the river. |
| 13. A gnarly class III drop here by the building. There is a slot in the center. |
| 14. Below the crop, the class III rapids continue. |
| 15. Good view of the river, but no access here. |
| 16. Past the building the rapids continue. I'd guess the class III rapids are about 1/2 mile in length. |
| 17. Here the rapids continue past the Aclara plant to another dam. I couldn't get any photos as the Aclara Security Guard did not allow access. This shot taken from the upstream edge of the Aclara properly line. |
| 30. Below the Aclara plant it's flatwater. This shot taken at the downstream plant property line. |
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35. Further down is the Somersworth Riverwalk. It's a steep trail down
to the river. The park is just under 10 acres, and the trail is slightly
less then a mile long. Review say the view is wonderful (especially in
the fall), but it is full of ticks.
Riverwalk page on Somerswirth City Web Site Riverwalk Map Riverwalk info on AllTrails.com |