Sub Two on the Kenduskeag this Year?

[Ray Wirth]

The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race Sub Two-Hour Club hasn't gained any new members in recent years, but this could be the year that changes.

Stream levels are currently above 2000 cfs and -- given the additional showers predicted for Friday -- could remain at 1500 cfs for race day.

As the chart below shows (click to open pdf), there is a strong correlation between river flow (cfs) and winning time. 

I will continue to update this projection as we get closer to the race, but right now I am projecting that stream levels will be at 1500 cfs for race day and that at least one paddler will go sub-2!

kenduskeag_cfs_and_times.pdf (69.72 KB)

Stream flow data for the week prior to the Kenduskeag a year ago provides a good baseline of what to expect race day. As the chart shows, we had a similar rainfall/snowmelt event prior to the Kenduskeag last year. The stream peaked and then subsided substantially by race day, which in 2018 was April 21:

[Mike]

Nice water and a high midday tide, shortened race course. This happened in 2014 and I have to say, the Sub Two-Hour Club is a designation I would be inclined to give to those who have whipped the entire course length in under two hours, out of simple fairness. Sub Two-Hour members with an asterisk?

[Ray Wirth]

Yes, it's too bad about the shortened course due to the downtown bridges not providing enough clearance. Nobody likes an asterisk!

It looks like the new finish line will shorten the course by about 0.5 mile, which for top paddlers should reduce their time by about 3.5 minutes.

Based on the decent flow rate (1570 cfs as of 1pm Friday), the anticipated rainfall tonight, and the shortened course tomorrow, it will not be surprising to see 3 to 5 craft go "sub two." But, yes, unfortunately, there will be an asterisk.