Snow, ice, strainers and rocks pretty much describe yesterday’s trip on my local river the Branch in RI. With enough water, the Branch is a fun quickwater stream with a couple of easy class II rapids. Yesterday the river was low, so we spent most of our time bouncing off rocks. Still, it wasn’t a bad way to end the winter paddling season. On to spring!
Stuff here is southern New England is wide open - we just need water. Dam releases start on April, so I know I will get at least a couple of good runs. They are even doing a spring release on the West River in VT. (You’ve been there right?)
I imagine avoiding those rocks must add to the fun. Looks like another great trip. Drove further north today to check out a new Lake Michigan launch site. Going to be a while…
@BoozTalkin said:
The picture makes that run look like it was very boney, E. Great you got out paddling nevertheless. Nice pic.
~~Chip
It was really low, but it is a local tradition to paddle this river on the 3rd weekend in March. For many years, my local club ran a down-river race on that weekend, so we try to keep the tradition going. Yesterday the river was at 150 cfs - here is what that rapid looks like at 500 cfs.