Hoosic River (NY) Access Restored
Posted: 12/21/2017
By: Robert Nasdor
American Whitewater has restored boater access to the Hoosic
River at Schaghticoke through negotiations with Brookfield Renewable, operator of the hydro
project. Brookfield had constructed a fence and locked gate that prevented paddlers from
accessing the river below the dam. Under their FERC license and our Settlement Agreement,
Brookfield is required to provide boater access and scheduled releases; however, no releases had
been scheduled for several years until this past spring. Negotiations with Brookfield over the
past year resulted in a resumption of scheduled releases in the spring, and in addition, new
procedures for boaters to gain access when natural flows are high enough for boating. The Hoosic
provides two distinctly different boating experiences. Immediately below the dam, there are a
series of falls that are enjoyed by expert boaters leading down to Big Eddy. Below Big Eddy, the
run continues through a series of Class II+ waves leading to the powerhouse.
Under the new procedure, the boaters can contact
Brookfield’s North American System Control Center (NASCC) at (877) 856-7466 to request
access anytime when the flow on USGS Gage 01334500 exceeds 1920 cfs.
After generation, a flow of 1920 cfs on the gage will result in a spill of 800 cfs from the dam.
Brookfield will open the gate anytime between sunrise and two hours before sunset. Boaters will
be asked to sign-in when entering. Boaters are encouraged to contact Brookfield to gain access
for unscheduled paddling on the Hoosic, We will also let folks know in April when the next
release is scheduled.