Hazard Warning: Hazard information may be user-submitted and unverified. Conditions change frequently. Always scout rapids and obstacles yourself.

Waterfall NH Class IV

The Cleaver

American Whitewater 43.0792, -72.0104

Save this feature with the run it belongs to.

Gauge Conditions

Contoocook River near Henniker, NH Downstream Primary

Runnable: 8.5 – 12.0 FT

Gets boney below 9

Data from American Whitewater & USGS

Photo

Photo courtesy of American Whitewater

Description

The Cleaver is the final drop on a rather long stretch of mostly class III and IV rapids. This one is difficult to scout from the river bank because of the steep bank and lack of eddies above. It is easily scouted from the takeout and route 9 which follows on river right. The best route to take over the Cleaver is about 8' from the river right bank. From here you will drop a few vertical feet. Do not run the center because the water piles up behind and under the enormous cleaver boulder. The run on river left is possible but is more difficult than the right side.