River guideNew Hampshire
Merrimack River
Choose the documented Franklin–Concord trips for published flow guidance, or compare lower-valley access pairs from Boscawen through Hooksett. The Franklin gauge and flow range do not apply to every downstream option, and the Allenstown Ferry Street launch requires a resident permit.
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Start with distance, then compare current scores where available.
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End of mapReach-specific flow and access
Choose a Merrimack trip by reach
Franklin to Concord
How’s Your River documents five endpoint choices along its Franklin–Concord run, including the Class II Sewalls Falls area. It reports a 400 cfs runnable floor and 1,500–2,000 cfs preferred range for that run. USGS 01081500 is at Franklin Junction; use its live reading for the named upper trips and check Sewalls Falls, releases, weather, and access separately.
- Boscawen Depot public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Everett Arena public boat ramp (water-entry edge) — About 17.5 river miles
- Boscawen Depot public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Sewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) — About 16 river miles
- Franklin High School Merrimack access (water-entry edge) to Boscawen Depot public boat ramp (water-entry edge) — About 12 river miles
- Franklin High School Merrimack access (water-entry edge) to Everett Arena public boat ramp (water-entry edge) — About 24 river miles
- Franklin High School Merrimack access (water-entry edge) to Sewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) — About 18 river miles
Boscawen to Hooksett
The shorter lower-valley choices use different landings, current, dam boundaries, and shuttle lengths. They remain planning-only because this review did not verify a recreational flow band for each reach; the Franklin gauge is upstream context, not a route-specific score. Compare each trip’s access and hazard notes before setting a shuttle.
Allenstown’s Pelissier Boat Launch at Ferry Street is limited to residents with a current vehicle sticker. Do not plan it as a general public put-in or take-out. The short Sewalls Falls–Everett Arena trip remains a separate local option.
Check the Franklin–Concord run guide, New Hampshire’s public boat access regulations, the Town of Bow water-access page, the Allenstown launch ordinance, and USGS 01081500 at Franklin Junction before travel.
River overview
Merrimack River paddle planning
What to verify before you commit.
Water levels
These Merrimack River routes use Merrimack River at Franklin Junction, NH as the main gauge reference.
Route options
Compare all 20 Merrimack endpoint choices here. Five published Franklin–Concord trips and the short Sewalls Falls–Everett Arena option keep focused pages; 14 overlapping lower-valley combinations remain selectable with their own access and hazard notes. The Franklin flow range applies only to the documented upper run.
Difficulty
Merrimack River routes here are marked moderate, so choose the stretch that fits your group and conditions.
Quick answers
Merrimack River paddling FAQ
Where can I paddle the Merrimack River?
Choose from five documented Franklin–Concord routes, the short Sewalls Falls–Everett Arena trip, or lower-valley access pairs from Boscawen through Hooksett. Fourteen overlapping planning combinations remain selectable in the trip picker with their own distance and access notes.
How should I check Merrimack River water levels?
The 400 cfs runnable floor and 1,500–2,000 cfs preferred range belong to the documented Franklin–Concord run and its USGS 01081500 gauge near Franklin Junction. Lower-valley trips are planning-only; that upstream station is context and does not provide a verified route-specific threshold for each downstream reach.
Which Merrimack River route is best today?
Pick the reach first. Use the five documented Franklin–Concord options for the published upper-river flow guidance, or compare lower-valley trips by endpoint, distance, current, and dam boundaries. Allenstown’s Pelissier Boat Launch requires a resident permit sticker, so visitors should choose another take-out.