Taughannock Creek, New York, US

1. Podunk Rd to Rt 96 bridge

Surfing below Double Ledge Drop

Surfing below Double Ledge Drop
Photo of Pelle Rudstam by angela baldo taken 03/13/11 @ 2.60 ft

Gauge Information

River Description

This is a great little run, with a scenic gorge to boot. You need a good rain to bring it up, and it'll hold water for about 24-48 hours afterwards.

This section starts out fairly tame for the first 1/2 mile or so, and mostly meanders through glacial till. Shortly after the creek begins to downcut into bedrock, one starts to encounter the bigger rapids on this section. The first is Class 3+(4) and is a double-ledge drop (8 ft) onto a 100+ft 15-degree slide. Recommend scouting the first time. At this point, the creek runs through a gorge for almost the next mile. The second drop is Class 3(3+) and can be boat-scouted. There are a few class 2 wave trains for the remainder of the gorge. Just as the river turns a right-hand corner, and the Rte. 96 bridge comes into view, one begins the drop over the last significant rapid, a solid Class 3+(4) drop into a pool. Run it just right of center.

Take out on left bank either before Rte. 96 bridge, or continue the run down to the Falls Rd takeout before the triple drop which precedes the 80-ft falls. See the description of the section "above the 80-ft falls" for more on this.