Spring Recap 2025
As I write this nearly 70% of Vermont sits in a state of “severe drought” while another unfortunate 24% are experiencing “extreme drought”. The remaining 6% are lucky enough to be only contending with “moderate drought” conditions. So what better time to look back on the wet and wonderful spring kayaking season of 2025.
A LONG COLD WINTER
Winter usually brings a thaw or two—enough for a quick trip to the few rivers that break free before it’s time to head back to the slopes. But the winter of 2025 was essentially one long, unbroken cold spell. It felt like one of those old-school winters we just don’t seem to get in Vermont anymore.
The conditions made for quality skiing and a solid snowpack. The website’s flow reporting page was quiet, with not a single visual logged between the end of 2024 and mid-March of 2025. Then, around mid-March, warmer temperatures began to creep in, leading to ice-out on many area rivers and the start of the spring boating season. The second half of March cooled off again, briefly pausing things—but only temporarily.
AN EXCELLENT PRIMARY SEASON
The bulk of Vermont’s spring whitewater season typically runs from late March through early May—and 2025’s was one to remember. There were virtually no pauses in flow, and the late season stretched well into early June.
From the true onset in late March through the first week of June, there was something worth paddling every single day. Take the White River in Stockbridge, for example—a lovely Class II–III run that correlates with the downstream gauge in West Hartford, where 1,000 cfs marks a reasonable minimum. From the time that gauge began recording on March 7 until June 13—a span of 98 days—it never once dropped below 1,000.
The New Haven River, home of the classic Ledges section, is typically an occasional treat once the snowpack is gone by mid-April. Not so in 2025: May featured not one but two separate stretches of 10+ consecutive days (May 3–13 and May 17–26) with runnable—and often ideal—medium or medium-plus flows. Within that window came some incredible days of sunshine and perfect water.
It was a season full of dawn patrols, post-work laps, races, group runs, micro-creek explorations—everything a paddler could hope for when blessed with both time and water.
THE END OF THE SEASON (AND THE BEGINNING OF A DROUGHT)
By early June, the leaves had begun extracting their toll, and soon flows started to taper off across the state, with only the low-water standbys hanging on into mid-month. Once July rolled around, we were locked into a stretch of hot, dry weather.
At the time, most folks welcomed the sunshine—but for those who’d been around the past five years or so, the pattern felt all too familiar. But that’s a story for another time.
RACES
It was yet another excellent year for racing down whitewater in the Green Mountains. Several races and other events brought together the community during the spring of 2025, including events on the Mad River, the classic New Haven Ledges Race, the perennially popular Peavine Race as well as the Wells River Rumble and Ledyard Fest.
The Peavine Race
For the fourth straight year, the Peavine Race proved why it’s the spring’s most fun all-craft downriver event. Spearheaded by Mike McDonnell and the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective, the race brought together paddlers from all corners of the region for a competition that’s as friendly as it is fast.
From race kayaks to SUPs, four-person canoes to two-man rafts, nearly every type of craft was represented. The same went for age—racers ranged from kids not yet in double digits to seasoned veterans.
In the end, local legend Hugh Pritchard claimed his first top finish with an impressive 35:41 final time. Pat Lizak and Blaine Martin were close behind, crossing the line just seconds later for an exciting finish.
The post-race party was, as always, a highlight—great food and drinks, good friends, and generous prizes for participants. If you haven’t already, keep the first weekend of May open for 2026. The race is a blast, the White’s water color and clarity are unmatched, the meal is top-notch, and the prizes alone are worth the trip. It’s a true celebration of spring whitewater not to be missed.
The New Haven Race
The Ledges Race was another great success. Now in its third year under the stewardship of Jordan Vickers, Scott Gilbert, Ben Schott, and Noah Greenstein, the event went off without a hitch.
Ironically, the only dry spell of the season lined up perfectly with both the primary and backup race dates. The organizers decided to go ahead on the originally scheduled weekend—and the gamble paid off. Though flows were on the lower side, the course was still plenty fluid, and best of all, the lower water allowed organizers to lengthen the course to include several extra rapids above the traditional Ledges start. These included Roadside Slide, the challenging Secret Compartment, and S-Turn.
While many expected the lower flows and longer course to favor the locals, it was actually a crew from Quebec that swept the podium—taking the top four spots—with some impressively clean and powerful runs.
The sponsors came through once again, with NRS stepping up to provide not one but two drysuits, along with fantastic prizes from both local and national companies. All told, 33 racers tested themselves against the Ledges, and a great time was had by racers and spectators alike.
In 2026, will a Vermonter reclaim the crown—or will the neighboring states and provinces continue to stymie them? You’ll have to show up to find out.
START TO SUMMER
The start to the Summer of 2025 was wildly different than that experienced in the past two years. And while we are thankful to be spared the flooding of 2023 and 2024, I think most folks wouldn’t mind at least a bit of rain to quench their thirst for some whitewater. Until then, happy biking?
See you on the river.
-Creek VT