Maine – High Water – Piscataquis River, 100 Mile Wilderness (UPDATED 10/10/23)

Maine
Hiking Safety

Alert

10/10/2023

Update: Water levels in rivers and stream crossings throughout the region continue to be high. Hikers may need to wait for water levels to go down, or turn around and hike back to the nearest road. Hikers should pack extra food and supplies in case they are delayed due to the high water.

For an updated forecast, visit weather.gov.

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09/18/2023

Update: Heavy rain is forecast for the region through tomorrow evening. Due to the saturated soil, water levels in rivers and stream crossings will likely rise rapidly. Hikers may need to continue to seek alternative routes to safely cross, wait for water levels to go down, or turn around and hike back to the nearest road. Hikers should pack extra food and supplies in case they are delayed due to the high water.

For an updated forecast, visit weather.gov.

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09/14/2023

Update: The ATC has received reports that due to recent rain, water levels in river and stream crossings south of Monson (NOBO mile 2,080.4) and in the 100 Mile Wilderness (NOBO miles 2,083.7 – 2,183.3) have risen to potentially dangerous levels and may be impassable. More rain is also in the forecast for the region and the Trail may see impacts from Hurricane Lee. Hikers should exercise extreme caution at crossings. Hikers may need to seek alternative routes to safely cross, wait for water levels to go down, or turn around and hike back to the nearest road. Hikers should pack extra food and supplies in case they are delayed due to the high water.

For more information on how to safely ford rivers and streams, read the July 28 update below or visit our River and Stream Crossing page. For an updated forecast, including information about Hurricane Lee, visit weather.gov.

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09/06/2023

Update: A period of relatively dry, sunny weather has helped bring river and stream levels back down to normal seasonal levels. However, since the soil is still saturated from the heavy rain earlier this summer, any additional heavy rain will likely cause water levels in rivers and streams to rise rapidly. Hikers should continue to use caution at river and stream crossings, carry extra food, and be prepared to wait, turn around, or find an alternative route if a crossing is impassable.

Always check the forecast before beginning a hike. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.

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08/07/2023

Update: Heavy rain is forecast for the Monson area. Due to how saturated the soil is, the rain will likely cause river and stream levels to rise. Hikers should continue to use caution at river and stream crossings, carry extra food, and be prepared to wait, turn around, or find an alternative route if a crossing is impassable.

Always check the forecast before beginning a hike. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.

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08/02/2023

Update: A stretch of relatively dry, sunny weather has helped to significantly improve conditions throughout the northeast. However, hikers should continue to use caution at river and stream crossings. Keep to the center of the footpath and use care when walking on muddy, erosion-prone sections of the Trail.

Always check the forecast before beginning a hike. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.

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07/28/2023

The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in Maine has received significant rainfall recently, resulting in high river and stream levels. The ATC has received reports that river and stream crossings along the A.T. south of Monson (NOBO mile 2,080.4), especially the West Branch of the Piscataquis (NOBO mile 2068.5), and in the 100 Mile Wilderness (NOBO miles 2,083.7 – 2,183.3) may be impassable for some hikers. Additionally, the ATC has also received reports of hikers becoming stuck between rocks in the East Branch of the Pleasant River (NOBO mile 2,127.6) due to the shifting rocks during extreme rainfall. Hikers are advised to keep their shoes on and use trekking poles or a sturdy stick for balance when crossing streams and rivers. High water persists throughout the region from New York through Maine. 

Hikers should exercise extreme caution at crossings. Hikers may need to seek alternative routes to safely cross, wait for water levels to go down, or turn around and hike back to the nearest road. Hikers should pack extra food and supplies in case they are delayed due to the high water. Throw a stick into the water and see how rapidly the water carries it away. If you cannot walk as fast as it is moving, then it is not safe to cross.

  • Do not ford a stream when it looks too dangerous or the water is flowing too fast. When in doubt, wait until the water levels go back down, find an alternative route, or turn around and hike back to the closest road crossing.
  • If you decide to ford, unbuckle your pack hip belt and chest strap so you can let go of it easily if you fall.
  • Be cautious about using any ropes suspended above the stream. These are not “official” installations. Instead, they are left by well-intentioned hikers with varying levels of skill in choosing placement and tying knots.
  • Keep your shoes on. Your hiking shoes or boots provide the best traction and protect your feet from possible hazards such as submerged sharp sticks, rocks, or trash.
  • If you do not have trekking poles, use a sturdy stick to help with balance.
  • Cross facing upstream, lean slightly into the current, and shuffle sideways across the stream. Avoid turning sideways into the current.
  • Do not attempt to ford the Kennebec River at any time. Dam releases upstream may cause sudden and rapid changes in water depth and current.

For additional recommendations on how to judge if a crossing is safe and how to cross safely, visit our Rivers and Streams Crossing page.

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