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Ausable River Access

New York State Electric and Gas has blocked access to the Ausable River downstream of their Rainbow Falls project for many years. AW worked through the dam relicensing process for at least 6 years to force the power company to allow public access. Every step has been a challenge. Even though fedreal law requires dam owners to allow public access and portage, the dam owner consistently refused to agree to public access.

When FERC initially analyzed the situation they agreed with us that access was possible, legal, and a benefit to the public - yet recommended against access. AW cried foul and convinced FERC to order access in their final order. The license required the previously thwarted flow study to be completed which it was in 2005.

Paddlers found a spectacular and truly unique class IV river set in a deep and narrow chasm. Portage and scouting at river level was easy, and most paddlers wanted to do laps. A wide range of flows were found to provide boating opportunities, including levels frequently and naturally present in the summer and fall.

As of late summer 2006, we are awaiting the LONG overdue flow study report, and will likely have to again advocate for access to the FERC in response to the study. We should have access in the spring of 2007 at the latest.

It has been a long road, but we are close to our destination on this one.

You can view a low water video(under 300cfs) to wet your appetite.

FERC Grants Seasonal Access to Ausable - AW Appeals Decision

posted June 1, 2009

by Kevin Colburn

Today, American Whitewater filed a formal challenge of a May 1, 2009 decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to prohibit public boating access to New York's Ausable River for 7 months of the year, while allowing access the other 5 months. Securing 5 months each year of public river access to this incomparable river - after decades of no access whatsoever - is certainly a major success for American Whitewater and the paddling community. While we are challenging the unfounded 7-month annual closure, we would like to thank the many paddlers and organizations that wrote FERC in favor of public access to the Ausable River over the past several years.

Last Chance for Ausable Access for 40 Years

posted June 29, 2007

by Kevin Colburn

July 6th, 2007 is the last chance you will have to request paddling access to New York's Class IV Ausable Chasm for at least 40 years. The chasm is truly a spectacular place, yet access has been blocked by a power company for decades. The dam owner has finally completed their whitewater study, and they have formally requested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission allow them to continue blocking river access. There is NO reason access should be limited in any way. Any paddler that may want to paddle the Ausable River in the next 40 years should send FERC a quick letter requesting access.