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

Lower Poplar Hill Falls

Dead - Spencer Falls to West Forks (ME)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
Dead River near Dead River, Maine Upstream Primary
Runnable: 800.0 – 13,000.0 CFS
Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Photo
Lower Poplar Hill Falls
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

Class IV above 5000 cfs. This is the biggest rapid on the river. The river channels to the left bank and drops through a long boulder and hole strewn path. Boat scouting is the easiest way to run. Lookout for a nice wave train that leads right into a hole at the top.

There was a fatality here in May 2016 where an adult raft passenger fell out of a raft when the raft tilted going thru a big breaking wave left-of-center in the first quarter of the rapid (about 50-100 yards above the Fry-o-lator hole).  The passenger immediately went unresponsive after entering the ~45-degree water; and was pulled into the raft within a minute. No heartbeat was detected, CPR was started immediately and continued throughout the trip to the hospital. Swims are common in this rapid; there are no significant river features at the site of the accident that appear to pose an undue risk.  The victim was wearing a full wet suit, but since this is the final rapid of a long 12-mile trip, exhaustion or cold are likely the most significant contributing factors to the accident.

Location
Type
Rapid
Difficulty
Class III+
Mile Marker
11.9 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
Spencer Falls to West Forks
Dead
II-III(IV) 14.8 mi
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater