Make sure you’re ready when they Raise the Dead!
Photo credit: Three Rivers Whitewater. Mark your calendars; here are Maine’s Dead River High Water Release Dates for the 2024 paddling season! The Dead River features 16 miles of the most continuous whitewater in the northeast for a high-energy, fast-paced trip! Experience class II-V whitewater in this fast and furious river filled with exciting holes, wave hits, and boiling wave trains. Take on rapids including Spencer Rips, Hayden’s Rapid, Enchanted Rapid, Elephant Rock, Humpty Dumpty, the Mine Field, Mile Long Rapid, Evil Nasty Hole, and the grand finale, class IV+ Poplar Hill Falls!
Long Falls Dam 2024 Dead River High Water Release Dates
All high water releases from Long Falls Dam stop at 1 pm. Turbine Test (high water) release dates are highlighted in red. These release dates are the highest volume days making huge waves and really high water. You’ll never forget paddling turbine test flows; it’s one heck of a ride! “Surfing” release dates are highlighted in blue (3,500-4,000 cfs).
May 4th (Saturday)
Big Spring Release
6,000+ cfs
Class IV+ Rapids
May 11th (Saturday)
Big Spring Release
6,000+ cfs
Class IV+ Rapids
May 18th (Saturday)
High Water Release
6,000 cfs
Class IV Rapids
May 25th (Saturday)
Summer Flow Release
1,400 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids
May 26th (Sunday)
High Water Release
6,000 cfs
Class IV Rapids
June 1st (Saturday)
Medium (Surfing Flow) Release
4,000 cfs
Class III-IV Rapids
June 2nd (Sunday)
Summer Flow Release
2,400 cfs
Class II-III Rapids
June 15th (Saturday)
Summer Flow Release
1,800 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids
June 16th (Sunday)
Summer Flow Release
1,300 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids
July 6th (Saturday)
Summer Flow Release
1,800 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids
July 7th (Sunday)
Summer Flow Release
1,300 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids
July 20th (Saturday)
Summer Flow Release
2,400 cfs
Class II-III Rapids
July 21st (Sunday)
Summer Flow Release
1,800 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids
August 10th (Saturday)
Summer Flow Release
2,400 cfs
Class II-III Rapids
August 11th (Sunday)
Summer Flow Release
1,800 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids
September 1st (Sunday)
High Water Release
5,500 cfs
Class IV Rapids
September 14th (Saturday)
Medium (Surfing Flow) Release
3,500 cfs
Class III-IV Rapids
October 5th (Saturday)
Fall High Water Release
FULL OPEN TO 6,000 cfs
Class IV+ Rapids
Please note that these flow levels may change without notice based on license requirements or water levels.