Local partners work to expand whitewater recreation on Millinocket Stream

River Metimbers picking his way through Turtle Pit rapid, unware of a swamped boat behind him, during the 2023 Millinocket X-Stream Canoe Race.

In the shadow of Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak, lies Millinocket Stream, a waterway steeped in history and shaped by the forces of industry, nature, and recreation. 

Millinocket Stream begins its journey at the Millinocket Lake dam, and flows southeast through the town of Millinocket before merging with the West Branch of the Penobscot River. It’s flows are controlled by Brookfield as part of the Penobscot Mills Project.

The dams that control the water flowing through this area were originally used to aid in the movement of pulpwood logs and for generating power. But a local group of paddling enthusiasts and community leaders recognized the recreational opportunity that exists on Millinocket Stream when the water is let loose.

Millinocket Stream can be run at flows between 250 and 1,200 cubic feet per second. But the nature of how Brookfield uses the stream as an overflow outlet means that the flow is unpredictable and subject to water levels in Millinocket Lake and the power needs of the mill in Millinocket. 

In 2021, whitewater guide Chris Howe, participated in providing public input in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission dam relicensing process and began the push to compel Brookfield to schedule recreational whitewater releases. With its close proximity to Millinocket, Chris recognized that this resource could be used for beginner and intermediate whitewater paddlers. And that’s when the idea was born to host a whitewater race to be part of Maine’s spring downriver racing series. He teamed up with the Outdoor Sport Institute in Millinocket and the Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization for guidance and support. He found Brookfield to be very accommodating toward the race concept and was granted a request to open a predictable release of water for 3 days in June. As a result, the First Annual Millinocket X-Stream race was born on June 4, 2022.

The amount of water released is important for the character of the race and its attraction to paddlers with different abilities. In 2024, the race organizers found a sweet spot at 640 cubic feet per second which makes for a challenging but fair run for most canoeists, promising an adrenaline rush for participants and a thrilling spectacle for locals who line the banks to watch the action.

Although it starts with relatively easy short drops and calm, dark pools, the river builds to Class II and III rapids that demand skill, focus, and respect for the river’s power. After one last section of flat water, the dark tree-lined banks begin to close in and you come to Turtle Pit Rapids, a nearly mile long stretch of continuous, unrelenting whitewater. This is where the river takes roll call and separates the paddlers from the passengers… and not everyone answers upright.

Because Brookfield opens the taps from Friday through Sunday on race weekend, it provides the opportunity for additional runs before and after the race. In this video, I was leading a group of paddlers from the Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society on a practice run. They had come to act as the safety crew for the race the following day and decided to get in a little fun of their own.

Along with others, I see the possibility of greater recreational opportunities at Millinocket Stream and there are positive signs of changes in how the stream may be utilized in the future. American Whitewater has been a big proponent of pushing for recreational releases on the stream and the future is bright. Continued involvement in the dam relicensing process by paddling enthusiasts helps advocate for recreational access. During an Operations Model Study, it was demonstrated that providing recreational flows on the stream every Saturday for June, July, and August for 4-6 hours each day would have little or no impact on overall energy production throughout the Millinocket Mills hydro project. Work still needs to be done to secure private road access and building relationships with those landowners. But there is hope to believe that more regularly scheduled releases can happen throughout the summer months to continue to make this a viable destination for whitewater paddlers and help in Millinocket’s transition from a fading industrial town to a unique recreational destination.

For video from Millinocket Stream, visit River Metimbers on YouTube: