The Saco River is one of New England's cleanest and most enjoyable rivers for summer canoeing. The water is clear and the bottom sandy; just fine for swimming. The Saco is also one of the most frequently traveled rivers. In order to keep it in its present clean state, you are asked to follow these recommendations:

Bartlett to North Conway. Heavy whitewater canoeing from mid-April to mid-May.

North Conway to Conway. Medium to heavy use as water levels allow.

Saco Bound, Fryeburg to Brownfield Bridge. Heaviest used section, very crowded on weekends and holidays from Memorial

Day through August.

Brownfield Bridge to Hiram. Medium use, especially on weekends and holidays.

Hiram and below. Light use, offers good canoeing and scenic views and less crowded.

Approximately 40 miles to Biddeford & Saco.

Distances on the Saco

To estimate time by canoe, allow approximately 20 minutes per mile in spring and early summer, increasing to approximately 30 minutes per mile in late summer and fall.

Heavy rainfall can change the river velocity to a much faster rate in just a few short hours.

Indiscriminate canoe camping has begun to take it's toll in pollution and litter. Preserve the character of the Saco River by practicing the following low impact techniques:

• Leave your campsite cleaner than when you found it. Bring trash bags and pick up after others.
• Use a gas stove for cooking instead of a wood fire.
• If you must build a fire, check first to see if a permit is needed. Keep it small. Build it on sand or mineral soil.
• Do not wash dishes, clothes or your self directly in a pond or stream, or dump waste water of any kind back into the water source. Use a bucket and dispose of all such waste water at least 200 feet from the natural water supply.
• If you camp on a sand bar, beware of a sudden rise in river level which follows rain.

Canoeing the Saco River is a pleasurable experience if you observe a few simple safety guidelines:

• Have frank knowledge of your boating ability, and only attempt waters within your ability.
• Stay together when travelling in a group. Establish a leader and a sweep (the last boat) and keep the party between them.
• Wear a Coast Guard approved lifejacket.
• Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Most accidental drownings are swimming-related.
• Always kneel when paddling through rough water. Kneeling lowers the center of gravity, increasing the craft's stability.
• Wear footgear to protect against broken glass and sharp rocks.
• Do not exceed the capacity of your craft.
• Plan to be off the river before dark.

• Get immediately upstream of the boat and hold on. This will prevent the possibility of being trapped or crushed between the canoe and the obstacle.
• Float on your back, feet together and out of the water with toes pointed downstream to fend against rocks.
• Do not stand up if the in fast water; your feet and legs can be trapped, allowing the current to pull you under.
• Let go of your boat only if it improves your safety. A canoe, even a swamped one, can act as a good floatation device.
• Strike for shore if rescue is not imminent, if water is numbing cold, or if worse rapids follow.
• Save people first. Rescue boats and equipment only if it can be done safely.

Canoeing has certain risks that can be minimized with proper caution and equipment. It is important to be aware of river hazards and avoid them. The most commonly encountered difficulties include:

• HIGH WATER. Check river conditions and weather forecasts before you go. A heavy rainfall can change the river velocity markedly in a matter of hours. Tie all equipment off to live trees. Camp on high ground.
• STRAINERS. Brush, fallen trees, bridge pilings or anything else which allows the river current to sweep through, or pins you or your boat against it, is dangerous. The water pressure against something trapped in this matter is overwhelming, and there may be little or no whitewater to warn of danger.
• COLD. Cold quickly robs one's strength, along with one's will and ability to save oneself. Beware of the early signs of hypothermia and how to treat it. Dress to protect your self from cold water and weather extremes.

In Maine, above Hiram, a fire permit is required for open wood or charcoal fires built outside supervised campgrounds. Permits are free and may be obtained from town forest fire wardens or from state forest rangers at the following locations:

In New Hampshire and below Hiram, Maine, you must have written permission from the landowner and a fire permit from a fire warden in the town where the fire is built.

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