At the heart of the Skowhegan River Park is Maine’s first whitewater park—a transformative investment that will create new opportunities for recreation, learning, competition, and community connection along the Kennebec River.

Building on the river’s natural character, the project will introduce purpose-built whitewater features designed to support a wide range of activities, including kayaking, river surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, riverboarding, tubing, paddlesports instruction, and environmental education. Whether someone is stepping into a kayak for the first time or training for competition, the river will offer opportunities for users of all ages and skill levels.

A signature feature of the project is the Northeast’s only adjustable surf wave, designed to adapt to changing river conditions and create a consistent, high-quality experience for river surfers and paddlers. Combined with improved river access, spectator-friendly viewing areas, and connections to downtown, the whitewater park will establish Skowhegan as a unique destination for river recreation in the Northeast.

Beyond recreation, the whitewater park is an important driver of community and economic vitality. The facility will support local paddling instruction, youth programs, outdoor workforce development initiatives, and community events while creating opportunities to host regional and national competitions that attract visitors, generate spending at local businesses, and showcase Skowhegan to new audiences.

Paired with Main Street Skowhegan’s Skowhegan Outdoors initiative, the whitewater park will help ensure that the Kennebec River is not only a place to visit, but a resource that residents can experience, enjoy, and steward for generations to come.

Technical Details

Ample river flow in the gorge (2,500 cfs to 8,800 cfs average) will allow for multiple high-quality whitewater features in the 3,000-foot park, including a wave under the walking bridge and one downriver at the second rapid. Each will have a drop of 1.5 to 2 feet and a calm water area for resting and self rescue in the event of a capsize. The features will generate consistent, quality waves at a variety of flow levels for kayakers, surfers, stand-up paddleboarders, bodyboarders, tubers, and others.

The Whitewater Park Phase 1, located at the middle rapid, will feature the Northeast’s only WaveShaper—adjustable river surf wave technology that will enable us to create a kayak hole one day and a green surf wave the next. With a WaveShaper, we can accommodate diverse river users—including surfers, a growing group of whitewater enthusiasts—and lower the barrier to entry. Residents and visitors alike will be able to grab a boogie board, PFD, and helmet and learn how to surf the wave. 

With consistent flow year-round, Skowhegan’s river park will be a favorite paddling destination, and it will attract significant regional and national whitewater paddling competitions.

In addition to river features, whitewater park construction will include site restoration, terraced seating on the southern bank of the gorge, and improved river access via a foot trail and an ADA access ramp from the Debe Park River Walk to the whitewater park and a takeout trail at the Big Eddy. We will also construct a set of stairs from the north side that will enable people to enter the river from our historic downtown and either paddle over to the whitewater park on river right, or avoid the park altogether and paddle or float the natural channel on river left.