Whitewater options in the Adirondacks?

[Jmharrick]

I did a cursory search of the whitewater forum and came up empty for threads involving whitewater paddling in the Adirondacks. I have Dave Cilley's "Adirondack Paddler's Guide", but he doesn't spend a lot of time discussing moving water options.

I know sections of the St. Regis River have rapids up to Class II. The Saranac River near my house has the Permanent Rapids section which I understand is Class I to Class III, and I've driven past sections of the Oswegatchie that look like they can get pretty exciting. I've also heard that sections of the Ausable River can be really nice, but you have to dodge fly fisherman the whole way.

For myself, I'm really just looking for some rivers with features up to Class II so I can continue practicing with my wife and keep our skills sharp for when we pull the trigger on a northern river trip.

For the purposes of this thread, I would like to hear from your combined wealth of knowledge and compile a list of as many whitewater options in the Adirondack Park as we can.

 

[Erica]

When I was paddling tandem many decades ago, we were learning on the Hudson River up in the North River - Riparius area. There were river gages on some of the concrete bridges. It was rollicking II - low III stuff.

The Upper Hudson Gorge has dam releases which are much more exciting in the III-IV range. We did it once in an inflatable kayak, paddled with canoe paddles.

I have no current information as I have been in Florida for more than 30 years.

 

[Patrick Corry]

I don't know if it is still a viable event, but there used to be a whitewater derby/race held in North Creek, NY on the Hudson River.

 

[eckilson]

Go to the map at American Whitewater. You can zoom in on the ADK and link to the rivers.

Here is the link:

American Whitewater - River Index

National Whitewater Inventory

www.americanwhitewater.org

Scene shot when you zoom in: