BINGHAM – North Country Rivers of The Forks, has bought Maine Whitewater, of Bingham, to create the state’s third-largest white-water rafting outfitter.

North Country and Maine Whitewater took a total of 10,700 customers down the Kennebec, Dead and Penobscot rivers last year. The combined annual revenue of the two companies is $1.5 million.

Northern Outdoors, the state’s largest outfitter, had 12,741 customers in 2000, according to Raft Maine, the industry’s trade association. New England Outdoor Center was second with 11,148.

North Country will move its base at The Forks to Maine Whitewater’s base at Gadabout Gaddis Airport in Bingham. The 2,000-foot grass strip named for the pilot nicknamed the “Flying Fisherman” was among the assets North Country acquired in last month’s deal.

The merger cuts the number of established rafting outfitters in Maine to 13. Rafting is a $16 million business in the state.