Two kayakers paddling on the White River near Stockbridge Vermont Whitewater Kayaking

Fall Recap 2024

The summer of 2024 started with yet another flood, exactly one year to the day after those of July 10 – 11 of 2023.  Much like its predecessor, this event hit some regions significantly harder than others, with areas like Hinesburg, the Mad River and the southern edge of the Northeast Kingdom receiving the brunt of the storm.  And much like 2023, in some locations river levels exceeded those of Irene.  In addition to the devastation experienced in the July 10th storm, the St Johnsbury / Lyndon/ Orleans area was hit with another massive rainstorm on the night of July 29th with some areas recording a whopping 7 – 8 inches of rain overnight.  You can read in more detail about both these events from some great NOAA reporting here and again here.  Though some boating was had in the areas lesser hit – most folks were conscious of the devastation and work to be done, and avoided where people were picking up the pieces and road crews were hard at work.  There are still some rivers yet to be explored since the floods – so if you are travelling in the areas hit this past summer an extra dose of caution would be advised.  Runs such as Joes, Ridley, Joiner, Cobb, and Brush Brook should all be inspected closely before a descent.

Table showing river flooding on various Vermont rivers from the 2024 July 10th storm.
Table courtesy of NOAA depicting flood levels on various area rivers in relation to the July 2023 storms as well as Irene.
Rainfall totals across Vermont from the July 10th 2024 storm
Map of rainfall totals from the July 10th storm. Courtesy of NOAA.
Map rainfall totals from the July 29th storm. Courtesy of NOAA.
Numerous road closures existed for days (and in some places weeks) in the aftermath of the July 10 storms.
Lesser traveled roads often held surprises for those trying to find detours around main road closures.
Route 17 along Baldwin Creek was the site of road repairs for weeks.
One of the many issues along Lincoln Road by the New Haven that prompted closure of the road for an entire month.

RETURN OF THE DRY FALL

The soggy start to summer provided quite a few opportunities to boat around the state that continued through the months of July and August.  With the arrival of September came dry “pleasant” (by non-boating standards) weather.  The foliage season was one to remember, the fall boating, one to forget.  With the exception of one high water day in late September, flows were very limited.  Fortunately dam releases around the region provided when mother nature did not, and many folks ventured to neighboring states to take advantage of these.

Mike Mainer kayaks a rapid on Bristol Notch Brook near Bristol, VT
Mike Mainer runs a slide on Bristol Notch Brook. Photo Jordan Vickers
Graph of the river flows on New Haven River in Bristol Vermont from fall 2024 from USGS
The New Haven ran frequently in July and August before drying up for most of the fall.
Graph of the river flows on Moose River in Victory Vermont from fall 2024 from USGS
Note the big flows from the July 10th storm and the December rain on top of snow on the Moose River.

LATE FALL FLOWS

The end of the year gave us a couple days of high flows surrounding the holidays when warm weather and rain coincided with a respectable existing snowpack.  This allowed folks a few rare treats such as Patterson Brook, Basin Brook into the North Branch of The Lamoille, and a new years day float on the Peavine section of the White River. 

Corey Thibodeau geared up and looking excited to check out Basin Brook near Belvidere Vermont whitewater kayaking
Corey T looking excited to check out the rare NBL tributary Basin Brook in Belvidere

UPCOMING TO THE SITE

While its been a bit quiet on the site the past year keep an eye out for a few exciting updates.  Here’s what to expect.

 

  • A handful of river guides from new contributors to be posted through the first half of the year.
  • Open registration for whitewater races coming up this spring.
  • An update to the flows page with new functionality and features.

 

We are excited to keep exploring the rivers of Vermont with you all and to continue sharing the fun of whitewater paddling in this great little state.

Mike McDonnel, Sarah Cunningham and Chris Weed splash their way into the misty new year on the White River.

See you on the river.
-Creek VT