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New Hampshire | Merrimack Valley / Bow, Boscawen and Canterbury

Merrimack RiverSewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Lambert Park public boat ramp, Hooksett (water-entry edge)

A central Concord-to-Hooksett Merrimack planning reach between two documented public ramps.

Access and safety sources last checked September 16, 2026.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 7.8 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow 4–6 hours with wind
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Merrimack River at Thornton’s Ferry in New Hampshire.
River contextMerrimack River in New Hampshire; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 7.8 river milesSewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Lambert Park public boat ramp, Hooksett (water-entry edge)
DifficultymoderateThe Lower Merrimack is broad moving water with wind, boat traffic, strainers, bridge current and hydroelectric or low-head dam boundaries. These cards remain planning-only until a route-specific recreational flow band and current manager review are established.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream public access first, then drive to the upstream ramp. Confirm parking, carry paths, gates and trailer congestion before unloading.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm New Hampshire boating rules, town access rules, parking limits and any utility or water-quality notices before launch.
CampingDay tripNo overnight river camping is included. Use an established campground or lodging near Concord, Bow or Canterbury; do not camp at access sites or on private banks.
SeasonMay-OctLate spring through fall is the practical paddling season. Snowmelt, rain, utility operations, wind, cold water and water-quality advisories can change conditions quickly.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A central Concord-to-Hooksett Merrimack planning reach between two documented public ramps.

Access map

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Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

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Start

Put-in

Sewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to put-in

Confirm the Sewalls Falls approach, bridge current, Hooksett Power Plant and dam boundary, parking and the Lambert water-entry edge before launch.

Finish

Take-out

Lambert Park public boat ramp, Hooksett (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to take-out

The Lower Merrimack includes dams, industrial shoreline and limited legal bailouts; do not improvise a take-out.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Confirm the Sewalls Falls approach, bridge current, Hooksett Power Plant and dam boundary, parking and the Lambert water-entry edge before launch.
  • The Lower Merrimack includes dams, industrial shoreline and limited legal bailouts; do not improvise a take-out.
  • Recheck current access, road, parking and water-quality conditions before staging.

Watch for

  • USGS 01081500 trend and weather
  • Strainers, bridge current, boat traffic and cold water
  • Hydroelectric and low-head dam boundaries

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Merrimack River at Thornton’s Ferry in New Hampshire.
Merrimack River in New Hampshire; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor
Wikimedia Commons license on linked file page

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Route and distance7.8 miles

    Distance between the named access points in the linked manager guide.

    Source

  • Launch coordinate provenanceMapped launch and landing

    Coordinates are tied to named public Merrimack ramps in the New Hampshire access directory and municipal access pages; confirm the wetted-edge carry and current parking on arrival.

    Source

  • Conditions posturePlanning only

    Planning only: the Lower Merrimack corridor plan and named municipal/state access records support public endpoints, but this pass does not transfer a numeric recreational cutoff to USGS 01081500. Sewalls Falls public boat ramp to Lambert Park public ramp.

    Source

  • Access and safety review2026-09-16

    Guide and current manager pages checked. Verify notices again before travel; a past review is not a statement of current paddling suitability.

  • Campingnearby_basecamp

    No overnight river camping is included. Use an established campground or lodging near Concord, Bow or Canterbury; do not camp at access sites or on private banks.

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in New Hampshire

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New Hampshire route guideBrowse every tracked New Hampshire route.Merrimack Valley / Bow, Boscawen and CanterburyJump to routes in this region.

More on Merrimack River

All 20
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Nearby routes within 75 miles

Contoocook RiverContoocook Riverway Park to Contoocook River Canoe Company · about 9 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 9 river milesContoocook RiverRiver Road Boat Launch to Contoocook Riverway Park · about 13 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 5.5 river milesContoocook RiverRiver Road Boat Launch to Contoocook River Canoe Company · about 13 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 14.5 river milesContoocook RiverContoocook River Federal Corps Access to Contoocook Riverway Park · about 15 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 6.5 river miles

Quick answers

Merrimack River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Sewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Lambert Park public boat ramp, Hooksett (water-entry edge) route on the Merrimack River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Sewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Lambert Park public boat ramp, Hooksett (water-entry edge) route on the Merrimack River start and end?

This route starts at Sewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) and ends at Lambert Park public boat ramp, Hooksett (water-entry edge), about 7.8 river miles on the water.

Is the Sewalls Falls public boat ramp (water-entry edge) to Lambert Park public boat ramp, Hooksett (water-entry edge) route on the Merrimack River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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