Penobscot River — West Branch
🐟 TU Conservation🛶 AW Stewardship
Piscataquis Co. · 16 mi · Class III–V
2,180CFS/ 6.29 ft
Optimal
↑Rising slowly (+30 cfs/hr)· +70 cfs in 3h
Optimal: 1500–4000 CFS · USGS #01029500
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification··Know this river?
16 mi
Length
Class III–V
Difficulty
1500–4000 cfs
Optimal
2,800 cfs
Avg Flow
2,500 cfs
Hist. Median
#01029500
USGS Gauge
Baxter State Park (Mt. Katahdin), Appalachian Trail Terminus · Trout Unlimited Conservation · American Whitewater Stewardship

Below Ripogenus Dam through Ripogenus Gorge, Class V Cribwork, Exterminator — Maine's premier big-water whitewater run. Sixteen miles of relentless rapids in the shadow of Mount Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

Trip sections
Ripogenus Gorge — Class V, dam-release gorge run
Cribwork to Exterminator — Class IV–V, continuous big water
Abol Falls to Pockwockamus — Class III, scenic runout
Outfitters
New England Outdoor Center
Penobscot West Branch specialists, Millinocket
North Country Rivers
Guided Penobscot rafting trips
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.