West Canada Creek, New York, US

Trenton Falls to Herkimer

Usual Difficulty	II (for normal flows)
Length	28 Miles

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
WEST CANADA CREEK AT KAST BRIDGE NY
usgs-01346000	600 - 10000 cfs	II	23d09h22m	1450 cfs (rc= 0.1 )
	The upper limit of the runnable range is a rough estimate. If you think it's good to go, then by all means scout it and enjoy.

River Description

The West Canada below Trenton Falls becomes a docile swift water to Class II river where one often sees fishermen (great fishing by the way), boaters in canoes and recreational kayaks, tubing and even an occassional motorboat. From the Dover Road Bridge in Trenton Falls (just below the release dam) to Herkimer is about 28 miles of paddling, although most whitewater boaters put-in further downstream near Middleville, NY.

A Note on the West Canada: River levels will generally be high enough for paddling year round, water is released both from the Hinckley Resevoir and at the Power Company at the Trenton Falls Gorge. (Speaking of which, the section of river from Prospect to Trenton Falls is home to some seriously big waterfalls, now open at times throughout the year for tourists, but likely never to be open to kayakers.) The West Canada is known to rise and drop rapidly, but this should be of no concern to boaters.

There are several man-made features along the way from Trenton Falls to Herkimer, a couple dams including the low-head type that would best be avoided, and bridges that at high, fast water levels can create broaching scenarios.

For beginning whitewater boaters, visit CNYs Site For The West Canada.

For More Interesting Whitewater See:

• West Canada South Branch, Fayle Road to Nobleboro
• West Canada, North Branch, Big Brook to Route 8
• West Canada, Ohio Gorge