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Jun 11, 2023: Sebasticook River – Clinton, Mill Park to Benton Falls Dam, carry, on to Kennebec River

The Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society paddled the Sebasticook River
from Clinton to Benton Falls Dam and then from Benton Falls Dam to Fort
Halifax Part (Kennebec River) Sunday. Beautiful day, excellent water
level (3″ below last step at Mill Park), great people, amazing number of
eagles everywhere. There are more eagles (more than 40) on the section
below the dam than anywhere in the continental U.S. per Nate Gray at
Maine Marine Resources.

We had 9 boats and 10 people from Clinton to the Benton Falls Dam and
11 boats and 12 people from the dam to Fort Halifax Park (Kennebec River).

Bruce Weik, Pauline Boyce, Andrew McDowell, Emma McDowell, Ron Chase,
Nancy Chase, Kevin Morrissey, Beth Main, Shawn Main, Karin Eberhardt,
Loren Starcher, Allan Fuller

The eagles are there to eat the alewife (herring) that are migrating
up the Sebastocook River. There have been more than 5 million alewife
that have passed the Benton Falls Dam going up the river so far. That is
the biggest river migration on the whole east coast of the U.S. There
were schools of herring breaking water. They were being driven to the
surface by the stripper bass chasing them. The herring are food for all.
About 20% are netted and sent to Canada in refrigerated trucks to be
canned for human consumption.

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Jul 24, 2022: Kennebec River – Carry Brook to West Forks

There were several trips on the second day of the Summer Picnic Weekend.  Nancy and I organized a paddle on the Kennebec from Carry Brook to West Forks.  New member Ken Stickney met us at the ballfield for the shuttle to Carry Brook where we met a sizeable contingent of Chowderheads who had finished the fish flow in the gorge.  The group consisted of an assortment of kayaks, canoes, and inflatable boats.  Everyone successfully navigated large waves in Big Black Rapid.  From that point, it was different strokes for different folks.  Some surfed and played while others floated and socialized.  The weather was superb, the water level excellent, and the company even better.  A great way to end a to an exceptional weekend!

Participants:  Ken Stickney, Deb Harris, Allan Fuller, Krea Galway, Shweta Galway, Ryan Galway, Reid Anderson, Mike Fask, and TCs Nancy Chase and Ron Chase

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Jul 17, 2022: Kennebec Gorge, 5000 and 2685 cfs

Participants were all in kayaks: Jeff Bickford, Greg Winston, Ken Gordon; TC’s Suzanne Cole & Gary Cole

We took over TCing Brent’s Kennebec 2400 as he had family obligations. 

As it turned out, the five of us paddled both releases. We had the usual fun at 5000, surfing our favorite waves and squirting here and there. We took out at Carry Brook and, with enough vehicles there, we were able to run all boats and boaters to the top without a shuttle.

Our second run was at 2685 cfs (what an odd number). We were eager to get on this lower level as we don’t paddle it very often. We found waves in different locations, paddled a different route at Big Mama, and wove our way down Magic. If you think this level is easier than 5000, think again. It is a little less pushy, but the routes through the rapids are tighter and the water is very turbulent in places.

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Jul 24, 2021: Kennebec River, Ballfield to Caratunk

We enjoyed a hot but beautiful summer day for our almost annual Saturday afternoon Summer Picnic trip from the Ballfield in West Forks to the boat landing in Caratunk, a 10 mile paddle.  This year we benefited from a rare occurrence, a minimal headwind.  New members Beth & Shawn Main joined us for a very pleasant paddle on the predominantly Class I and quick water excursion.  It was a great day while getting acquainted with new friends.

 

Participants:  Beth Main, Shawn Main, and TCs Nancy Chase and Ron Chase

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July 26, 2020: Kennebec (Forks to Caratunk)

For the past couple of years, Nancy and I have enjoyed paddling the Kennebec from the Forks to Caratunk during the Summer Picnic Weekend.  About a ten mile scenic Class I/II trip; we decided not to allow the pandemic cancellations to deter us this year.  Early on, the Eichorn family announced they would participate in their raft.  When we arrived at Webb’s Campground, Dave and Inge Wallace had decided to join them.  Ryan Galway had dropped off the Eichorn’s truck at the takeout on his way home.  I biked our shuttle.  This is not a chore as there is a good shoulder on Route 201 and the ride along the river is very enjoyable.  When I returned, the bubble from the Kennebec release had arrived and by the time everyone was ready, we had acquired another 1800 CFS from the Dead.  If you launch, park, or takeout at Webb’s Campground, don’t forget to pay Kim Webb. Initially, the high water propelled our group rapidly downriver and the Class II rapids had some surprisingly beefy waves.  Several rafts, some tubers, and another group of kayakers were met during the excursion.  A hiker was waiting on the west side of the river for the water to drop when we passed the Appalachian Trail crossing.  Hope he needed a rest as I think he had another two or three hours to linger.  The seemingly obligatory headwind picked up at about the midway point and the intrepid rafters got an unexpected workout.  Paddling against the steady breeze was much easier for our sleek flatwater kayaks.  Despite the nuisance winds, everyone had a great day on a picturesque section of the river.

Participants:  Evan, Shannon, Finn, Cohen, & Sawyer Eichorn, Dave & Inge Wallace and TCs Nancy & Ron Chase