River Loop Distances
Here are the established loop points and distances for use in mileage logging. All of the following are round-trip distances from the boat ramp to the indicated point and back to the ramp. The traffic pattern runs up the east side of the river and back down on the west side of the river. The bank nearest your boat should always be on the starboard side of your boat. See the numbered notes below for more information on the location of each point.
| Loop | Miles | Meters | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Set of Power Lines | 3.0 | 4,827 |
| 2 | PSNH Buoy Across From Park | 3.5 | 5,633 |
| 3 | Second Set of Power Lines | 5.0 | 8,045 |
| 4 | Steps and Camper on East Shore | 6.0 | 9,654 |
| 5 | PSNH Buoy at Mouth of Brook | 7.0 | 11,263 |
| 6 | End of White Sand Beach | 8.0 | 12,872 |
| 7 | End of Second Island | 10.0 | 16,090 |
| 8 | Third Set of Power Lines | 10.5 | 16,950 |
When returning to the ramp at the boathouse, do not go any further down the river than is necessary to observe the traffic pattern while approaching the ramp. As you complete the last downriver leg on the west side of the river and cross the river to the ramp, stay as far as possible upriver from the boat warning barrier above the dam. This barrier is designed to promote river safety by warning all river users of the presence of the dam immediately below. However, the physical barrier itself should be considered a hazard to rowing craft. Do not approach the barrier or allow your boat to come in contact with it.
Notes
- This set of power lines crosses the river just south of Memorial Park and the estuary where the Suncook River enters on the east side of the Merrimack.
- This is a white and blue buoy located on the west side of the river across from Memorial Park just north of the Bow boat launch. The buoy is directly in the path of southbound (downriver) boat traffic so be alert for it on the return trip. PSNH maintains this buoy and its companion up river to monitor the river water temperatures and cooling water conditions in the vicinity of the Bow power station. PSNH only keeps these buoys in the river during the warmer months so they are often not there at the start and end of rowing season.
For the 2009 season, there are a lot more temperature buoys in the river – 5 sets of 3 buoys each to be precise. These buoys are also white and blue and are labeled ”NAI Study”. These are located as follows in order going upriver from the boathouse.
1st set – Just upriver of the 500 meter sign.
2nd set – Adjacent to the Bow boat ramp – near the first regular PSNH buoy.
3rd set – Adjacent to the warm water inlet.
4th set – Adjacent to the power plant
5th set – Near the second regular PSNH buoy
- This set of power lines crosses the river just below the PSNH Bow power station.
- This landmark consists of a set of wooden steps, a ‘Keep Out” sign and a trailer set back in the woods on the east bank some distance north of the Bow power station. This is also about even with the north end of the PSNH coal storage pile on the west bank. Some ARC members use this as a 3 mile one-way mark to practice for 3 mile head races.
- This is the northerly of the two PSNH white and blue temperature buoys. It is located similarly in the river to its southerly companion but in this case just out in the river from where a small brook enters on the west bank.
- This point is the northerly end of the white sand beach on the east bank. The narrows is just beyond this point.
- This is the second (northerly) of the two small islands that lie north of the narrows. Boat traffic going up the river should pass to the east side of the island and return downriver through the channel on the west side of the island between the island and the mainland. You are in the right place at the end of this island if you can see a hydropower station and the third set of power lines just a little further up the river.
- This set of power lines crosses the river just below the Garvin’s Falls hydro station. If you row up to these power lines, approach the first one cautiously and observe whether water is exiting the tailrace below the plant on the west bank. The tailrace comes out into the river from the west bank right under the power lines. When the plant is operating, the water coming out of the tailrace is very fast and turbulent with a powerful, distinct eddy line that can flip you. If the plant horn sounds while you are in the area, leave the tailrace area immediately.