- Rating: 3
- Class: IV
- Length: 1.50miles
- FPM: 120
- Putin Coordinates: 44.790496, -72.481122
- Takeout Coordinates: 44.805853, -72.460316
The Burgess Branch (of the Missiquoi) drains Belvidere, Tillotson & Haystack Mountains, just west of Lowell, VT where 100 & 58 intersect. The actual whitewater on it is very minimal (approx 3 decent rapids, a 10 ft falls and some boogie in about .5 miles), and that, paired with the fact that one of its tributaries drains an asbestos mine, prevents it from getting a higher rating. It is about the size of the Gihon, only slightly smaller, and runs on a similar schedule to both the Gihon and NB Lamoille, perhaps a little bigger rain event is necessary for a decent level on it. These pictures were taken at a low boatable level, with the Gihon and NBL at solid mediums at the time. Put in about 1.5 miles up Valley road, off of 58, where the river first appears very close to the road. This will save a bunch of flat water you would have to paddle if putting in up at the bridge. Below is mostly flatwater with one class III ledge for approx .5 miles. Then the whitewater occurs, starting with a short class 3 lead in to a 5ft nearly vertical slide that drops into a decent hole. There is a possible fun rock slide move if you were to drive left with some speed & a boof. Then a small hole afterwards to punch.
Some class III boogie leads to the next drop a 10 ft waterfall. River right may drop into a crack hard to tell, but with more water a boof off the center would be the line.
More water would only improve this one.
The next is in my mind the highlight, A little multi-stage rapid involving a drop into a mini-gorge type room, which then takes a 90 degree turn and drops over several more ledges/holes.
The rapids finish up with some class III boulder gardens.
There may be a little more downstream, but I did not look, my guess is if there is it is class II-III. Take out at the bridge about a half mile downstream or stop right after the whitewater and hike your boat up the hill to the road.
to sum it up, short but sweet, not worth a drive but if you are in the area and have the time...go for it, just don't swallow the water. you could combine it with a nice park and huck 18fter on the missisquoi just upstream of the confluence of the Burgess branch and Missisquoi.
to my knowledge has never been run, ripe for the taking, anybody,...bueller...bueller...
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