Whitewater Paddling

Magic Falls Dead River

Whitewater Paddling Products

Whitewater Paddling Resources

  • Untamed Mainer Resources
    • Kennebec River
      • The Kennebec River Gorge marks the start of the 3.5-mile section of the river where rafters come to play.  Excellent for beginners and families, the entire whitewater trip is 8 miles long. Paddling the Kennebec at regular and high-water releases is a completely different experience- I preferred the regular water release because it was more turbulent with fewer “holes” filled in by the excess water, making for a wilder ride!  The lower section of the river offers an excellent opportunity to float down the river.  The Kennebec has daily whitewater releases, bringing the river to 4,800 – 6,000 cfs.
      • Detailed river & rapid information for the Kennebec River
      • 2024 Kennebec River high water (turbine test) release dates
    • Penobscot River
      • Whitewater rafting on the West Branch Penobscot River is on both the upper and lower sections of the river.  The river trip is between 12 and 14 miles long and is a steep gradient with pool-and-drop technical rapids.  This river has consistent big-water daily, with Class III – V rapids, with a bold and exciting Class V right at the beginning.  Many outfitters take out after completing the upper section of the river to avoid the long section of deadwater and put back in at the beginning of the rapids on the lower section. This scenic river flows through Baxter State Park and past the base of Mount Katahdin.
      • Detailed river & rapid information for Penobscot River
    • Dead River
      • The Dead River is one of the longest continuous whitewater sections in the Northeast, with approximately 30 rapids in a 13.35-mile stretch ranging from Class II to Class IV.  There are typically only 8 water releases for rafting each year on this river.  The river mainly consists of granite boulder rapids with many holes and pour-overs.  Release levels and periods of heavy rain heavily influence river difficulty.  At 1,200 – 1,800 cfs most rapids are Class II, except the first and last few rapids.  At 2,000 – 3,500 cfs rapids are Class III, and at 4,500 and up rapids are Class IV.
      • Detailed river & rapid information for the Dead River
      • 2024 Dead River high water release dates

Whitewater Paddling Articles