2. Hillsborough to Henniker

The Contoocook has a fairly large drainage area for a New England river therefore, it holds water well into Spring then rises occasionally after a moderate rainfall in the Fall. The Contoocook is a popular run for great reason. The put-in and take out locations are on private land. Please be curteous, change discretely and pick up your trash, keep a good boater reputation and this run will remain. Contoocook dam removal On Tuesday June 29th 2004, a 100 year old dam a half mile below our old take out on the Contoocook was breached. This was an historic moment and the first time in history where American Whitewater, FLOW, AMC, MVP and others have actually helped to pay for a dam removal to improve whitewater boating. The result was 3/4 mile extension of the river trip with two new rapids. There is a new takeout just downstream on river left of the twin truss bridges. Additional parking is available at the old mill site. The take out at the old mill site is a lot easier and shorter. * * * ### Technical info Put in elevation:         550' Take out elevation:     400' Total drop:                  150' Average drop/mile       50' Distance:      3.0 miles River width average:   50' River geology...........Small to medium granite boulders River water quality.....Fair to good, clarity fair to good Scenery.................Good forested scenery, a few homes along the way Wildlife................Deer, Merganzers, Blue herons ## Directions I-93 from southern NH just before Concord take I-89 to Route 202 West. Follow Rt 202 past Henniker. Take the first Hillsboro exit then make a left at the bottom of the ramp. Shortly after the on ramp back onto rt 202 take a left onto Contoocook Falls Road, which becomes Western Ave once you are in Henniker again. Follow Western Avenue to the put-in, which will be on your left. A new parking area has been constructed on the left just upstream of the old put in with a path to the river at the rear of the lot. Alternate directions from Rt 101 Manchester. Rt 114 North to Downtown Henniker. Cross the bridge and take a left onto Western Ave. Follow it to the put in, passing the takeout on the way.