Saco River obstruction hazard leads to 17 rescues in 10 days

FRYEBURG AND BROWNFIELD, Maine - The Maine Warden Service is urging canoeists and kayakers on the Saco River to use extreme caution due to a debris obstruction blocking passage between mile 17 and 18 on the Saco River.

Continued high water along the upper Saco River Corridor has created a nearly impassable debris obstruction on the river. Paddlers are encouraged to take out at the Lovewell Pond access site before reaching this site, or portage their boat and gear around the obstruction.

The obstruction has blocked the width of the river, which is approximately 50 yards in width, and has precipitated the rescue of at least 17 paddlers in the past 10 days.

The Maine Warden Service is notifying canoe and kayak rental businesses in the area about the obstruction, urging the businesses to inform paddlers about the obstruction, and to instruct paddlers on how to portage around the obstruction, or to tell paddlers to take out at the Lovewell Pond access site. The Maine Warden Service also plans to post signs at put-in access sites on the river, alerting people to the obstruction, and how they can avoid it.

The Maine Warden Service encourages all paddlers to always wear their lifejackets when in a canoe, kayak and paddleboard, and to never paddle alone. Additional safety gear such as a throw rope and a throwable PFD is also recommended. Due to the highwater on the Saco, canoeists should be on the lookout for debris, downed trees called strainers that impede water flow, and swifter currents.