COLD RIVER AT HIGH STREET, AT ALSTEAD, NH

Water temperature for trout, salmon and steelhead

Federal guidance. New Hampshire Fish and Game Department publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a New Hampshire rule:

• Under the federal 68°F line. Water 52°F now; the highest in the last 24 hours was 52°F. That is under the 68°F at which the National Park Service, at Grand Teton National Park, recommends anglers stop fishing in the afternoon (“cease fishing at 2 p.m. when water temperatures are likely to exceed 68°F”). Water warms through the afternoon, so check again later in the day: “Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature.”

  High water temperatures prompt fishing advisory in Grand Teton National Park (29 July 2022) (National Park Service)

Species

This gauge is on the same river as our page for Cold River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

• Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

  Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)

• Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 19.1%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.

• Cold water. Water 52°F. NWS: “Cold shock can be just as severe and dangerous from water temperatures of 50-60°F (10-15°C) as it is from water at 35°F (2°C).” “Always wear a life jacket in and around the water.”

  Cold Water Hazards and Safety (National Weather Service)

• Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.

  Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)