Ausable, New York, US

Keeseville to US Route 9 (Ausable Chasm)

Put In on the Ausable

Put In on the Ausable
Photo of Kevin Colburn by Trip Kinney taken 06/15/05 @ 650

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
AUSABLE RIVER NEAR AU SABLE FORKS NY
usgs-04275500	240 - 1400 cfs	IV+	43d22h47m	938 cfs (rc= 0.7 )
	Based on 2005 Flow Study.

River Description

After several years and letter-writing campaigns, paddlers now have legal access to Ausable Chasm!! Beginning today, June 18, 2010, through October 31, NYSEG cannot block our access. In subsequent years, access will be assured from Memorial Day through Halloween.
The Ausable Chasm was paddled numerous times over the summer of 2005. The river is one of the most unique and beautiful in the Northeast. The river offers 6 to 8 high quality class IV rapids ranging from vertical ledges to long slides, to rapids laced with waves and holes. The best thing about the run: it is runnable on natural flow almost all summer and fall! After paddling the Chasm, paddlers must paddle out over a couple miles of swiftly moving but shallow flatwater.
There is no place else in the world like Ausable Chasm. Previously, access was blocked by the power company, but we now know that 2010 will mark the beginning of a brand new summer paddling resource for New York and Vermont paddlers. Enjoy!

From the article, linked below:

"The Ausable Chasm is a committing Class IV/IV+ river in a vertical walled canyon. Paddling high quality rapids through an east coast slot canyon provides an extraordinary and unique experience for advanced whitewater paddlers. Suitable natural flows are common throughout the year, including summer and fall, which is a regional rarity. The river can be run quite low. The Ausable Chasm Company provides hiking, viewing, and scouting opportunities on numerous decks and walkways in the gorge (for a fee). Please be aware that this river reach has seldom been paddled so all paddlers are advised to be very careful. Wood and metal debris are potentially present in the Chasm, and metal debris has specifically been noted above and immediately below Mike's Hole. Once on the river, scout and portage only below the high water mark to avoid trespassing on Ausable Chasm Company lands. Do not park in the bar's parking lot at the put in - stick to the provided spaces or park legally elsewhere. There is a public lot near the bridge that you can park in after dropping off your gear. Please recognize that we are new visitors to the area, so respectful behavior is critical."
Look for access updates and more rapid photos and descriptions here soon!

See also 

Ausable River to Open June 18, 2010!, June 14, 2010

New York Area Boaters Get an Early Christmas Gift!, December 23, 2004

Yankee Ingenuity Alive and Well in Upper New York State, November 12, 2001;
Paddlers' Alert--Ausable River, February 14, 2002;
2002 Top 10 Conservation and Access Issues, November 14, 2002;
AW in the NorthEast, 2004;
River Stewardship Issues for 2004, October 7, 2004;
Comments on the Ausable, April 28, 2004; and
Ausable Chasm Open Flow Study Planned, May 31, 2005.
Lat/longitude coords are approximate, from TopoZone.