Because Lake Massabesic serves as the water supply to the City of Manchester, Manchester Water Works prohibits any bodily contact with the lake or its tributaries.  Therefore, the Manchester Water Works recommends the use of rubber boots when launching sailboats, kayaks or canoes to avoid stepping into the water. 

Merrimack River is 5.3 miles long and is rated by American Whitewater as a class I-II+(III) section. There is a kayak course but it is not for the beginner kayaker. This river system has a few good paddling stretches among them is Amoskeag Falls to Goffs Falls section.