Class II-III Dead River, ME
Spencer Falls to West Forks
Located in an isolated corner of northern New England, the Dead is one of the longest continuous sections of whitewater in the Northeast. With approximately thirty rapids along a fourteen mile stretch, it is an incredibly popular summer whitewater run.
The river is primarily release controlled, although it also runs after periods of heavy rain. The difficulty of the river changes greatly depending upon release level. At lower levels (1200–1800) it is primarily class II (except for the very first, and last couple of rapids). At medium levels (2000–3500) it is class III; and at higher levels (4500–8000) class IV.
The higher releases are generally during May, early June, September, and October. Expect huge crowds of rafters and boaters during these high-water releases. Summer releases are normally in the low-to-medium range. (American Whitewater)
Section Details
| Trip Length | Full Day, 13.3 Miles |
| Fishing | Yes |
| Camping | Yes |
| Manager | Private, Brookfield Renewable |
| Wild & Scenic | No |
| Water Trail | No |
| Description | American Whitewater |
| River Flow Information |
https://www.safewaters.com/facility/28 This section of river is dependent on flow being released from an upstream hydropower dam. The Dead River offers 8 scheduled releases each year with 2 flow options for different experiences, 3500cfs summer flows and up to 6000+cfs during spring and fall. The 16 mile stretch of continuous white water is among the longest in the east, and offers Class III-IV+, ending near The Forks, ME at the confluence with the Kennebec River, which offers options for multi-day paddling trips on both rivers. |
