Class II Lamprey River, NH

Capt. Reuben to John Hatch Park (Capt. Reuben Hill Bridge to John Hatch Park at Wiswall Falls)

This quickwater section which may be unnavigable at low water contains two sets of rapids, a Class II starting at the bridge and an easier rapid about a mile downstream. Wiswall Falls/Dam requires portage on river left.

The Lamprey River has a predominantly undeveloped, natural shoreline. As a federally designated Wild and Scenic River, the Lamprey is classified as a "recreational river". Recreational activities along the river are defined mostly by the river itself and access to it. People use the river recreationally for canoeing, kayaking, and swimming in the summer. For fishing enthusiasts, the NH Fish and Game Department stocks brook, brown, and rainbow trout in Lee and Durham and maintains a river herring restoration program on the Lamprey. In winter, visitors to the river enjoy cross country skiing, snowshoeing, skating, and snowmobiling.

From the Bunker Pond Dam to the confluence with the Piscassic River, the Lamprey River's shoreline, natural floodplain, and wetlands provide a range of wildlife habitats. Currently, the Lamprey has the largest quantity of anadromous fish in the Great Bay watershed, and it hosts substantial numbers of freshwater mussel species.

The river's resources include archaeological sites of prehistoric and nineteenth century culture, which are representative of the early settlement of New Hampshire's seacoast region. It is managed through a local-state-federal partnership, the Lamprey River Advisory Committee.

 

For More Information Visit:

Lamprey River - rivers.gov

Lamprey River Advisory Committee - recreation

Section Details

Trip Length Partial Day, 3.0 Miles
Notes Camping is available at Ferndale Acres or Wellington Camping Park which are privately-owned facilities with river frontage located downstream of Capt. Reuben Hill Bridge
Fishing Yes
Camping Yes
Manager Private, Lamprey River Advisory Committee
Wild & Scenic Yes
Water Trail No
Partner Information http://www.lampreyriver.org/UploadedFiles/Files/LampreyTourGuide.pdf
https://www.rivers.gov/river/lamprey