Black

the level water you can read here is good for the Hole Brothers until the Dam (glen park falls) after that you need a release from de dam for running the Gorge of the Black.

Bastien Bourassa-Dusseault

View of the 'hole' at the bottom of Knifes Edge from the top of the RR building

Knifes Edge from the top, ~22,000 cfs

Big and Little Brother surf waves at the former location of Hole Brothers

6,000 cfs is definitely too low as the max. runnable range. 8,000 is a more accurate level though it is entirely possible to run it higher. At these levels Knife's Edge's right side opens up on the bottom and is a very manageable move for capable boaters. The only major hazard is rocket-ride which becomes a low-head dam. Portage on river left or run Poop-Shoot.

Hudson River Rafting Company is probably the outfitter above Hole Brothers that they were referring to. I'm sure if you ask nicely (bring PBR) they'd let you put in. The outfitter further up is not as receptive to private boaters using their put-in, which in my opinion is a little cruel considering that is the only sane access point to run Club House Turn and Burn's Wall. It's also bogus that they told someone the Black River is not open to private rafts. Private boaters are not only welcome on the Black, but more should make their way up to paddle this gem that has reliable flows throughout the year.
It's impressive that you made it down Great Falls solo in a raft, I've never heard of anyone else doing that.
If ever you are in need of beta for the Black, stop by the rafting bases, the other ones I mean...

Cool river... don't drink the water

Not sure what unfriendly people you are refering to. These are companies that have been on the river going on close to 30 years. It is their property, and private at that. I am sure if you had called them prior to trying to go and do it yourself they you could have saved yourself a hard time. The people of Watertown and the business that are there are very appreciative of boaters and anyone who would like to boat on this gem of a river. The park the town was refering to was Glen Park Dam and that is open to anyone.

I would say 1000cfs for a minimum isn't entirely true. The Black is runnable to levels far below that. I don't think that a absolute bottom has been reached. Granted it's less challenging, but a creative boater could find ways to amuse oneself.

You can wuss out and run the Rocket Ride (a man-made slide, which covers most of the river)--or you can have some fun, hitting the Poop Chute far on river right. There's a huge hole (to the left and behind Matt here) which is chaotic as all getout. If you miss the hole, or only catch part of it, it's a schweeeet ride.

The new Rochester paddler trend is to intentionally drop into Cruncher without paddling--in an Oregon tuck position. Cruncher is a fun rapid and opens to a large pool so if you happen to swim there should be plenty of people in the pool to help clean up your mess. It makes for a great show for the rafters.

When we feel like a old fashion beatdown we have a Cruncher Rodeo. Fun stuff
This boat glanced off Molly's Crack. Luckily it did not pin. The dent popped out, the hole was repaired, and the boater was uninjured. Be careful out there!

The center of this photo shows 'Molly's Crack,' the bad pinning spot at Knife Edge Rapid. Just to the river-left edge of the pourover hole in the photo, this crack has pinned several boats which didn't make the 'True Path' right-to-left move. Beware! Scout carefully and, if you aim for the True Path, make sure you make the move!

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Awesome level for the ICS wave

Warming up for the Ottawa

Fast, Huge, Dreamy, too bad it's only in a few weeks a year.

There was alot of ice that day.
Notice the snow?

From the rock just above the putin

The approach is very shallow and fast. Once you're on it, you're committed!
Just don't get sideways.
It's about a ten-foot drop. Nobody likes the look of that hydraulic at the base. See the friendly wood in the friendly eddy?
Well, the true True Path is a little river left of where Chris is heading, tweezing between the two holes. At this level, Chris' line is fine, but as it gets higher, the hole he's heading for gets meatier.
This 30+-foot falls, framed by the buildings and the bridge, has supposedly been run by somebody. Looks ugly to me.
Dave kinda goes vert here, plunges, and emerges on a pirouette...or something. Thanks to Barry Grimes for Quicktiming this video for us.

Really big scary huge hole that will kill ya if you miss the line.

Summer rains producing high water in NY this
year.

It just doesn't get any better. The superlative rodeo hole at Hole Brothers at 1,200 cfs.