Saranac - 3. High Falls Gorge


Saranac, New York, US

Disclaimer

3. High Falls Gorge

Usual Difficulty V+ (for normal flows)

2nd waterfall


2nd waterfall
Photo by adkyaker taken 06/24/08 @ 550ish

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
SARANAC RIVER AT PLATTSBURGH NY
usgs-04273500 1100 - 1400 cfs V+ 00h45m 840 cfs (rc= -0.9 )


River Description

The High Falls Gorge is a spectacular vertical-walled gorge containing several large waterfalls and a TOTALLY UNRUNNABLE final waterfall.

At this time, little is known about the safety or appeal of running any of the drops in the gorge. One thing is sure, the gorge should only be attempted by teams of expert boaters with shore support and with experience exploring large waterfalls. It is imperative to scout carefully and take out several rapids above the final 60+ foot unrunnable waterfall.

Historically, the Gorge has been illegal to paddle or even scout, but a recent FERC License has lifted this closure.

Be Careful.

 

Lat/longitude data are approximate, based on recommendations from Dennis Squires' book and Google Maps.


StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2009-06-20 10:18:51

Editors



Lead in

Detail Trip Report  Lead in  Saranac, NY(1.38MB .jpeg)

2nd waterfall

Detail Trip Report  2nd waterfall  saranac, NY(1.30MB .jpeg)

1st falls

Detail Trip Report  1st falls  saranac, NY(1.31MB .jpeg)

41414.jpeg

Detail Trip Report  41414.jpeg  saranac, NY(1.48MB .jpeg)

41418.jpeg

Detail Trip Report  41418.jpeg  saranac, NY(1.29MB .jpeg)

41417.jpeg

Detail Trip Report  41417.jpeg  saranac, NY(1.32MB .jpeg)

last rapids

Detail Trip Report  last rapids  saranac, NY(1.35MB .jpeg)

Hydro-dam (saranac)

Detail Trip Report  Hydro-dam (saranac)  saranac, NY(1.52MB .jpeg)


Gauge Information

Gauge Description:

American Whitewater negotiated a flow gage on the High Falls bypassed reach to monitor flows for recreation and environmental compliance.  The website for the flow information is:

 

https://ebiz1.nyseg.com/cusweb/flowdata.aspx

 

Use this gage for accurate flow conditions.

 

The estimate used in our river database is based on the USGS gage and is VERY ROUGH! The dam can divert 850 cfs and typically does whenever possible. The likely good flows in the gorge are 200-400 cfs. Therefore the likely good gage reading is 1050-1250, but then you should add in some accretion flow since there are quite a few miles between the gorge and the gage. The take-home message is: use the gage as a general guide and then go to the NYSEG gage linked above for accurate flow information. 

 

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
SARANAC RIVER AT PLATTSBURGH NY
usgs-04273500 1100 - 1400 cfs V+ 00h45m 840 cfs (rc= -0.9 )

RangeWater LevelDifficultyComment
1100 -1400 cfs barely runnable-high runnable V+

Report - Reports of Saranac 3. High Falls Gorge and related gauges

Reports give the public a chance to report on river conditions throughout the country as well as log the history of a river.

Reports

When River/Gauge Subject Level Reporter
Saranac [NY] Lead in 550ish jared hogle
3y232d03h13m saranac [NY] 41418.jpeg 550ish jared hogle

WXPort

News





No Comments

Users can submit comments.

Rapid Descriptions

icon of message No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run.

Do more than just check gauges; join over 5,000 AW members today.

Join_or_Renew_Logo-200px

Join or Renew


Or, consider donating

Donate_Logo-200px

Donate


Related Groups

Volunteer Opportunities / Activities

projects - Saranac River (NY)


Associated Projects

General Nonmember Message

Associated News

Report on Saranac Flows Finds Missed Opportunities

AW Appeals a Bad Decision in New York



 reach  
 state  
 reachlink  
 3. High Falls Gorge , Saranac New York, US (mobile)