2021 Dead River Turbine Test [High Water] & Whitewater Rafting Release Dates

Make sure you’re ready when they “raise the Dead!”

Photo credit:  Three Rivers Whitewater.  Mark your calendars, here are Maine’s Dead River Whitewater Release Dates for the 2021 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!

2021 Long Falls Dam release dates for the Dead River Whitewater Season

All high water releases from Long Falls Dam stop at 1 pm.  Turbine Test 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.  Lowest cfs releases are in black.

May 8th (Saturday)
Big Spring Release
6,000+ cfs
Class IV+ Rapids

May 15th (Saturday)
Big Spring Release
6,000+ cfs
Class IV+ Rapids

May 22nd (Saturday)
High Water Release
6,000 cfs
Class IV Rapids

May 30th (Sunday)
High Water Release
6,000 cfs
Class IV Rapids

May 31st (Monday)
Summer Flow Release
1,300 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids

June 5th (Saturday)
Medium (Surfing Flow) Release
4,000 cfs
Class III-IV Rapids

June 6th (Sunday)
Summer Flow Release
2,400 cfs
Class II-III Rapids

June 19th (Saturday)
Summer Flow Release
1,800 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids

June 20th (Sunday)
Summer Flow Release
1,300 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids

July 10th (Saturday)
Summer Flow Release
1,800 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids

July 11th (Sunday)
Summer Flow Release
1,300 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids

July 24th (Saturday)
Summer Flow Release
2,400 cfs
Class II-III Rapids

July 25th (Sunday)
Summer Flow Release
1,800 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids

August 14th (Saturday)
Summer Flow Release
2,400 cfs
Class II-III Rapids

August 15th (Sunday)
Summer Flow Release
1,800 cfs
Class I-II+ Rapids

September 5th (Sunday)
High Water Release
5,500 cfs
Class IV Rapids

September 18th (Saturday)
Medium (Surfing Flow) Release
3,500 cfs
Class III-IV Rapids

October 2nd (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.

Click here to learn more about the Dead River and start planning your next adventure!

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