Gauge Conditions

Housatonic River at Gaylordsville, CT Downstream Primary

Runnable: 800.0 – 10,000.0 CFS

When the Hydro Plant is offline (as it is through the winter of 2015/16) the whole run is easily navigable down to around 650 cfs (~1ft on the boater's gauge)

Data from American Whitewater & USGS

Photo

Photo courtesy of American Whitewater

Description

Pencil Sharpener is a technical Class III+ drop with a tight, boulder-strewn entry that demands precise boat positioning and quick maneuvering between irregular rocks. The rapid features a series of powerful diagonal waves and potential keeper holes that can quickly flip an unprepared kayaker, requiring paddlers to maintain momentum and choose a clean line through the most challenging center section.