Paddle Maine's Whitewater

On this page:

• Rapidly Flowing Rivers
• Commercial Whitewater Industry
• Whitewater Guide Certification Requirements
• Whitewater Guide License Requirements
• Whitewater Personnel Requirements
• Maine River Facts
• Private (noncommercial) Whitewater Boating

Rapidly Flowing Rivers

"Rapidly flowing river" means the following stretches of river: the Kennebec River between Harris Station and The Forks; the West Branch of the Penobscot River between McKay Station and Pockwockamus Falls; the Dead River from its confluence with Spencer Stream to its confluence with the Kennebec River at a flow level of 2400 CFS or higher; the Rapid River from the outlet of Lower Richardson Lake to 3/4 miles upstream from Umbagog Lake at a flow level of 1200 CFS or higher, and the Magalloway River from Aziscohos Lake to the first Route 16 bridge west of Aziscohos Lake at a flow level of 800 CFS or higher. The South Branch of the Penobscot River from Canada Falls Dam to the bridge on the Northern Road just prior to Pittston farm at a flow level of 500 CFS or higher.

Definitions of (CFS): One cubic foot per second is equal to 449 gallons per minute. It is equal to a volume of water one foot high and one foot wide flowing a distance of one foot in one second. One "CFS" is equal to 7.48 gallons of water flowing each second.

Current waterflows for Maine’s rapidly flowing rivers can be obtained through Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. at www.safewaters.com or call

1-844-430-FLOW (3569).

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Commercial Whitewater Industry

A whitewater outfitter means a person or corporation, who conducts commercial whitewater rafting, dory or bateau trips on rapidly flowing rivers or streams and who holds a current license, issued by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

A whitewater trip means any commercial effort to transport passengers by means of a whitewater craft on rapidly flowing rivers or streams.

A whitewater guide means a person who has met the criteria established by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to qualify as a whitewater guide and currently holds a whitewater guides license.  
Anyone who seeks to work as a whitewater guide is required to obtain a Maine Whitewater Guide License and must be employed by a licensed Maine Commercial Whitewater Outfitter, to legally receive any form of remuneration for services rendered as a guide. Any person acting independently as a guide not working under a commercial whitewater outfitter is violating several state laws and rules.  

• The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife licenses approximately 24 Commercial Whitewater Outfitters annually that provide whitewater boating activities on Maine’s rapidly flowing rivers.
• During the 2015-2018 commercial rafting season, Maine whitewater outfitters carried an average of 54,000 commercial passengers on the state’s six rapidly flowing rivers.
• Whitewater outfitters are held to standards at the highest level, to protect the safety of their guests, the public, and the preservation of the state’s natural resources.  Maine’s commercial whitewater industry offers professional, quality and safe whitewater experiences with an excellent safety record.
• The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has laws, and rules, that provide the framework for outfitters in river safety, safety equipment, guide training, licensing, liability insurance, monthly passenger reporting, safety reports and more.
• An order of launch for commercial whitewater outfitters is established for the Kennebec River and West Branch of the Penobscot River. The launch order was established to protect public health and safety for the upper Kennebec River and West Branch of the Penobscot River. The order of launch is based on the outfitter’s first documented dates of continuous commercial operation on the particular river or portion of river and is available on the Department’s webpage.
• The Commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has a ten-member Advisory Board for the Licensing of Whitewater Guides. The board provides advice regarding rule proposals, complaint(s) on a whitewater guide, establishes testing procedures, assists with guide testing, provides advice on granting or revoking whitewater guide licenses, provides advice on establishing or reviewing safety requirements for whitewater trips, and reviews the safety record of whitewater guides and outfitters.  
• Maine has recreational use limits relating to the number of commercial passengers allowed per day for the Kennebec River and the West Branch of the Penobscot River. These recreational limits allow for rafting use and other competing uses, such as fishing, camping and canoeing, while minimizing detrimental impacts and maintaining the opportunity for a quality wilderness experience for rafters and for other users. The allocation system established in law, places the limits on the Kennebec River from Harris Station and the West Forks at 1,000 commercial passengers and 560 commercial passengers the West Branch of the Penobscot River, between McKay Station and Pockwockamus Falls. There is no limit on noncommercial (private) boaters. 
• The allocation system was established to encourage a wide diversity of whitewater trip experiences and services, to provide a fair distribution of river use among existing and future users, to maximize competition within the recreational use limits and to provide opportunities for public access. An allocation is required for a whitewater outfitter on the Kennebec River and West Branch of the Penobscot on Saturdays, from July 1st to August 31st. Outfitters cannot carry more than 120 passengers on these Saturdays.

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Whitewater Guide Certification Requirements

1. Prerequisites for an Applicant to be Examined for a Whitewater Guide's License
1. Each whitewater guide applicant and licensed whitewater guide must be currently certified in American Red Cross Standard First Aid or its equivalent. Proof of current certification is required.
2. Each whitewater guide applicant and licensed whitewater guide must be certified in American Red Cross, American Heart Association or National Safety Council C.P.R.
3. Each whitewater guide applicant must successfully complete a whitewater guide training course consisting of the following:
• For a Level One License (allows the holder to guide whitewater trips on any Maine river except that portion of the Penobscot River between McKay Station and the Big Eddy and that portion of the South Branch of the Penobscot River from Canada Falls Dame to the bridge on the Northern Road just prior to Pittston Farm at a flow level of 500 CFS or higher):
  1. A minimum of 7 days of instruction in river etiquette, whitewater safety, general local geography, and characteristics of whitewater rivers, and
  2. Guide training, to occur on at least two of the following rivers: Kennebec River, Dead River, Penobscot River, Magalloway River, or the Rapid River, and
  3. Five of the seven days of guide training must be on river training on the Kennebec River between Harris Dam, Indian Stream Twp., and The Forks, and
  4. Guide training shall include at least twenty training runs of the rivers identified in 4(b); from Spencer Stream to the Gravel Pit access point on the Dead River; from the Gravel Pit to the take-out on the Dead River; from Harris Dam to Carry Brook access point on the Kennebec River; from McKay Station to the Big Eddy on the Penobscot River (three runs of Big Amberjackmockamus Falls on the Penobscot River is equivalent to one training run, and two runs from Abol Pines to Nevers Corner on the Penobscot River is equivalent to one training run).
  5. A minimum of four guided training runs on the Kennebec River, and
  6. A minimum of one guided training run from Harris Dam to the ballfield in West Forks.
  7. When used in this context, guided training run means the applicant conducts a simulated whitewater trip utilizing other guide applicants or guides as passengers. Training runs conducted as part of a guide training course must be made in a whitewater craft used to carry passengers as part of a whitewater trip. (Craft capable of carrying only 1 person may not be used.)
  8. Each whitewater guide applicant, while participating in guide training, must comply with current whitewater guide PFD Type requirements.
  9. The minimum number of watercraft on any guide training run shall be two.
  10. The minimum number of licensed whitewater guides on any guide training run shall be two.
  11. Safety Equipment Requirements listed in Chapter 14.04 shall apply to all guide training runs.
• For a Level Two License (allows the holder to guide whitewater trips on any Maine river where a whitewater guide license is required):
  1. Must possess a Level One License, and
  2. The applicant must have made ten training runs on the Penobscot River; two of the ten training runs must include the major rapids between the Big Eddy and Never's Corner; and
  3. The applicant must have made five guided training runs in the Penobscot Gorge between McKay Station and the Big Eddy, and
  4. The applicant must have made at least 6 commercial whitewater trips, as a paid guide.

Guide Applicants must provide the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife with a form, signed by the applicant's trainer, who is a licensed whitewater guide working under a commercial outfitter, stating that the applicant has taken and successfully completed the above outlined training; and signed by the commercial outfitter, attesting that the candidate is qualified to be a licensed whitewater guide in the state of Maine. Upon receipt of this documentation, a written test will be administered. Unsuccessful applicants must wait 30 days before reapplying.

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Whitewater Guide License Requirements

Anyone who seeks to work as a guide is required to obtain a Maine whitewater guide license and be employed by a licensed whitewater outfitter. These requirements are state law and are in place to protect the people of the state. If a member of the public pays dues or fees or provides any form of compensation to a person or persons for providing whitewater-rafting services or for operating a whitewater rafting organization, the trip is commercial. A whitewater trip would also be a commercial trip if a licensed whitewater guide received any remuneration for accompanying, assisting or instructing passengers on the river on whitewater trips. It is unlawful to hire an unlicensed Maine whitewater guide or outfitter to supply a commercial trip or to hire a licensed Maine guide who is working independently from a licensed Maine outfitter.

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Whitewater Personnel Requirements

1. Prerequisites for Applicant to be Examined for a Whitewater Guide's License
   1. Each whitewater guide applicant must be currently certified in American Red Cross Standard First Aid or equivalent. Proof of current certification is required.
   2. Each whitewater guide applicant must be certified in C.P.R.
   3. Each whitewater guide applicant must enroll in and successfully complete a whitewater guide training course consisting of the following:
      • For a Level One License (allows the holder to guide whitewater trips on any Maine river except that portion of the Penobscot River between McKay Station and the Big Eddy):
        1. A minimum of 7 days of instruction in river etiquette, whitewater safety, general local geography, and characteristics of whitewater rivers, and
        2. Guide training, to occur on at least two of the following rivers: Kennebec River, Dead River, Penobscot River, Magalloway River, or the Rapid River, and
        3. Five of the seven days of guide training must be on river training on the Kennebec River between Harris Dam, Indian Stream Twp., and The Forks, and
        4. Guide training shall include at least twenty training runs of the rivers identified in 4(b); from Spencer Stream to the Gravel Pit access point on the Dead River; from the Gravel Pit to the take-out on the Dead River; from Harris Dam to Carry Brook access point on the Kennebec River; from McKay Station to the Big Eddy on the Penobscot River (three runs of Big Ambejackmockamus Falls on the Penobscot River is equivalent to one training run, and two runs from Abol Pines to Nevers Corner on the Penobscot River is equivalent to one training run).
        5. A minimum of four guided training runs on the Kennebec River, and
        6. A minimum of one guided training run from Harris Dam to the ballfield in West Forks.
        7. When used in this context, guided training run means the applicant conducts a simulated whitewater trip utilizing other guide applicants or guides as passengers. Training runs conducted as part of a guide training course must be made in whitewater craft used to carry passengers as part of a whitewater trip. (Craft capable of carrying only 1 person may not be used.)
        8. Each whitewater guide applicant, while participating in guide training, must comply with current whitewater guide PFD Type requirements.
        9. The minimum number of watercraft on any guide training run shall be two.
        10. The minimum number of licensed whitewater guides on any guide training run shall be two.
        11. Safety Equipment Requirements listed in Chapter 14.04 shall apply to all guide training runs.
      • For a Level Two License (allows the holder to guide whitewater trips on any Maine river where a whitewater guide license is required):
        1. Must possess a Level One License, and
        2. The applicant must have made ten training runs on the Penobscot River; two of the ten training runs must include the major rapids between the Big Eddy and Never's Corner; and
        3. The applicant must have made five guided training runs in the Penobscot Gorge between McKay Station and the Big Eddy, and
        4. The applicant must have made at least 6 commercial whitewater trips, as a paid guide.

Applicants must provide the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife with a form, signed by the applicant's trainer, who is a licensed whitewater guide, stating that the applicant has taken and successfully completed the above outlined training; and signed by the outfitter, attesting that the candidate is qualified to be a licensed whitewater guide in the state of Maine. Upon receipt of this documentation, a written test will be administered. Applicants failing the written test must wait 30 days before reapplying.

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Maine River Facts

• In 1976 State of Maine made it illegal to float logs down the Kennebec River. Prior to this, the Kennebec Log Driving Co. was moving 300,000 cords of wood a year down the Kennebec River.
• 1976 was the first year a commercial rafting trip went down the upper Kennebec River.
• Late 1970's law makers established into law the Whitewater Rafting Commission, which remained in place for 15 years.
• Late 1970's Maine Legislature stepped in with legislation concerning PFDs and safety equipment.
• 1983 Maine Legislature established the first allocation system into law regulating commercial rafting and the number of commercial passengers allowed on designated rivers on a particular day.
• In 1983 commercial outfitters carried 20,816 passengers down Maine's rapidly flowing rivers.
• In 1995 the Maine Warden Service started utilizing Deputy Game Wardens to enforce whitewater rafting laws and rules.
• In 1999 Maine Warden Service designated a full-time specialist position to oversee administrative duties and enforcement in whitewater boating.
• After September 11, 2001, a staircase was built at Harris Station for recreational access to the Kennebec River.
• In 2007 and 2008, the Maine Warden Service interviewed over 100 witnesses, and detected over 30 violations of illegal whitewater guiding on the Kennebec River during the 2006-2007 boating seasons.
• In 2009 commercial outfitters carried 61,377 passengers down Maine's rapidly flowing rivers.
• In 2018 commercial outfitters carried 48,571 passengers down Maine’s rapidly flowing rivers.
• In 2018 more than 15,000 private boaters went down the upper Kennebec River.

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Private (Noncommercial) Whitewater Boating

Online Registration Requirement

This free online noncommercial trip registration requirement is not a new law and has been required for over 20 years for private boaters using a whitewater craft prior to launching. This law requires that any person without a commercial outfitter's license file a free noncommercial trip registration prior to launching. The registration must be completed by each person using the craft for each day on the river.

A whitewater craft is defined as any raft, dory, bateau or similar watercraft that is used to transport passengers along rapidly flowing rivers but does not include canoes or kayaks.

This free online registration is quick, easy and more efficient, which replaces the paper registration forms that have been used for years. The registration can be done days or hours prior to your noncommercial whitewater trip by visiting the link below and selecting "Noncommercial Whitewater Trip Registration" to complete the process.

The registration requirement for private (noncommercial) whitewater boaters provides important data that allows for fair and equitable access for all users, both commercial and noncommercial. It is important that everyone who plans to launch a whitewater craft on the Kennebec River or West Branch of the Penobscot River completes this registration process in a timely and accurate manner.

Any person who fails to register for each day they launch commits a civil violation that carries a fine of $100 to $500.

Register Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the registration requirement for noncommercial whitewater boaters a new law?
No, the law has been in place for over 20 years. Prior to the 2024 boating season the registration process required the completion of a paper form. The new online process is a simpler and more efficient method for collection registrations and replaces the paper registration process.

Is there a fee to register?
No. The process is free and can be completed quickly and easily online.

Who is required to complete the registration process?
This law requires that any person without a commercial outfitter's license using a whitewater craft on the Kennebec River between Harris Station and the Forks or West Branch of the Penobscot River between McKay Station and Pockwockamus Falls file a free noncommercial trip registration prior to launching. The registration must be completed by each person using the craft for each day on the river.

What is the definition of a "whitewater craft"?
A whitewater craft is defined as any raft, dory, bateau or similar watercraft that is used to transport passengers along rapidly flowing rivers but does not include canoes or kayaks.

When can I register online for my noncommercial trip?
The law requires that the noncommercial registration be completed prior to launching a whitewater craft. The online registration process is available 24/7 and can be completed hours or days prior to your trip.

If I have multiple friends and or family members that want go rafting with me, can I just indicate the number of people on the online registration form.
No, the online registration is specific for that person registering, consistent with the majority of licenses and permits issued by the Department.

Are inflatable tubes considered a "whitewater craft"?
No. inflatable tubes are not considered a whitewater craft.

If I am on a fishing trip using a whitewater craft on the Kennebec River between Harris Station and the Forks or West Branch of the Penobscot River between McKay Station and Pockwockamus Falls, am I required to complete the registration?
No, the noncommercial trip registration requirement falls under the whitewater rafting chapter in statute and does not pertain to use of the river for angling.

Are children required to complete the registration process?
Yes, a parent or guardian should register their child individually.

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