Webb Lake to Carthage

Description contributed by Bill Blauvelt > 5.5 mile run with a 4.5 mile shuttle. Relatively straight forward class III type run with no major rapids or hazards. Much of the river is less than class III. > > A gauge is beneath the Storer Hill Rd bridge in Berry Mills on river right. The gauge on Route 142 no longer exists. > > I ran it at .4 ft, which was a nice medium low level for me. Most would consider that to about the minimum. A reasonable upper limit is 4 feet although you could certainly do it higher.This is the kind of river where at high water it is just a big fast flush. You can see the river at the takeout, which is one of the easy parts. You can also see it at the 142 bridge crossing, so you can get a good idea if there is adequate, or an overabundance of water for your liking. > > The scenery is nice for most of the run, but there are several homes on the lower half of the run. If you see homeowners, smile and wave and represent the community well! > > If you drive in from Dixfield, do be alarmed by the class V rapid above the Rt 17 bridge. There is nothing like this on the river between Webb lake and Carthage. From Dixfield, drive north on Rt 142 (Carthage Rd) to Carthage, where the road crosses over the Webb. Park on the right about 1/2 mile past that bridge. > > From the takeout, drive 4.5 miles further up Rt 142. There is small place to park a few cars by a trail on the left side of the road. Hike 100 yards or so to the put-in.