Oswegatchie, Middle Branch, NY

Sluice Falls

Sluice Falls
Photo of Bob Butler by Steve Arns @ 930 cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

Section 4 of the Middle Branch of the Oswegatchie is often referred to as the Sluice Falls Section.  This section is pool drop with both large drops and large pools.  When running Section 4 it seems as though you are either rambling down some easy moving water or staring down a large and difficult drop.  The scenery in this section is very nice but it is in prime hunting areas so be aware of the hunters.  This section feels very remote until the flatwater at the end.  You also do not cross any roads while running this section.  Section 4 can be combined with Section 3 as the put-in for section 4 is the take-out for section 3.  Section 4 can be run at lower water levels than the other sections (or so I am told).  With the exception of Sluice Falls all of the drops in this section are easily portaged (Sluice Falls is slightly more difficult to portage but not really that hard either). 

The put-in is where Bryant Bridge Road crosses the river (there is a bridge) and the take-out is on Jerden Falls Rd near Middle Branch Corners.  This is a very easy shuttle (10 minutes or so) and close to the town of Harrisville (food and gas).    

If anyone knows of different names for these rapids (I have never heard of the names) please let me know and I will adjust them on the AW website. 

There are several good runs in the area including:  Middle Branch of the Oswegatchie Section 4, Middle Branch of the Oswegatchie Section 3, West Branch of the Oswegatchie, South Branch of the Grass, Brown's Bridge Section of the East Branch of the Oswegatchie, and several others.