Nissitissit River

Beautiful spring trip down The Nissi, a winding and peaceful river.  It was a 56F and mostly sunny day with excellent water levels  (Nashua E Pepperell gauge 2.86 ft 799 cfs;  Squannacook gauge 2.83 ft 144 cfs). The first part of the trip winds through a marsh, passing through several mellow riffles and small drops. Saw a lot of wildlife: Tiny gold birds, pair of woodpeckers, many turtles and wood ducks. The action picks up the 2nd half of the trip in the section below the West Hollis Bridge.  About 1/2 mile below that are a quick succession of 3 river-wide blowdowns that required portages (right, over, over).  Then an expected small dam, which I ran left. Several fly fisherman were in this area too.  The finale of the trip was running the remnants of the Millie Turner dam which is 2 big drops (class II) followed by riffles to the Mill St bridge. Kayak bottom gained a few new scratches that last stretch!   

Start: Bohannon Bridge, Brookline NH

End: Mill St Bridge, Pepperell, MA

Trip Time:  2 hours 45 minutes.   

Trip Distance:  8 miles

The put-in at Bohannon Bridge

Peaceful upper section

The beavs did good work here

Natural bridge

Remnants of the old mill near W Hollis Road bridge

First of three river-wide blowdowns

Looking back upstream of dam, 2 channels blocked by downed tree

Not sure if this was a vulture but he looked ominous, drying his wings

Gorgeous day on the water!

Rapids at the former Millie Turner dam in Pepperell

Take-out below the Mill St bridge