Grass, Middle Branch
Tracy Brook to Clare Rd.
| Difficulty | III-IV(V) |
| Length | 10 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 38 fpm |
| Gauge | West Branch Oswegatchie River Near Harrisville Ny |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 237 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 5, 2016 |
River Description
Description:
Upper Section: Shortly after reaching the Grass from Tracy Brook, the river starts dropping into some nice boat scoutable slides. The first mile or two below Tracy Brook is the best part. From then on there's a lot of flatwater, some sections of continuous class II-III stuff, a few nice small slides, a couple of easily recognized big class V slides, and one super sweet long(1/8 mile?) low angle slide. Both of the big slides would go, but the first is kinda junky looking and the second has a pretty bad hole on the bottom right, but a nice 10ft boof on the bottom left. Overall, this section has some fun parts, but doesn't match up to some of the area's other options; however, this is a great option if you get to the South Branch and it's a little beefy for your liking
Lower Section: This section is class 3 almost the entire time, it is a fun section for intermediate boaters, and open boaters who want to explore some of the great features the Grasse has to offer. As the water changes the run evolves from big holes and defined lines to low level creeking with lots of rock gardens to find micro eddys and play around in to develope skills. The rapids are easy to scout and set safety. This section can easily be run in under 2 hours including shuttle time.
The river has a conservation easement and is open to boating all year except from October 1-November 15, or hunting season. There are multiple hunting clubs in the area, which may not always be super friendly.
Access: Head north out of Degrasse on Claire Rd. and continue a couple of miles past the South Grasse take out. Turn right on Dean Rd. just after crossing the Middle Grasse and park in the shoulder on the right side of the road or continue up the road for about 1.75 miles to the bridge crossing over the river, on the right there will be a parking lot with a DEC information billboard. Taking out at the bridge will miss 1 rapid but also a long flatwater section.
T
...River Features
Midway Put in
This is an easy put in which allows you to paddle the lower section of the section. It misses most of the large drops and slides. This is best used when access to the upper parts is restricted due to road conditions. All rapids listed are below this put in, and the distance for the rapids start at this point.
Charlie's Rapid
After a small flatwater section the river splits with a majority flowing right. The island is a good place to scout this rapid
The ledges
A series of ledge-pool drops of above 10 feet are next. Each ledge has multiple lines depending on low and scouting is easily done on both sides of the river.
Stillwater Bridge
This rapid is undernearth the footbridge to Stillwater camp. It has a nice wavetrain into a medium size hole at certain levels. This is best boat scouted since the Stillwater Camp isn't always the friendlist. This rapid can be seen from the road too.
Stomper
After another flat water section the river bends to the right and creates nice wavetrains and fun ledge slides. Some of the holes can be on the sticky side. This is also next to the road and can be scouted from either side, always as a nice park and run rapid
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportDEC information board at the take out
Sign from the DEC Explaining the Recreation Easement for the North Branch
Becca Doll running Charlie's Rapid
Update on access of Middle Branch. There has been a conservation easement put on the Middle Branch of the Grasse corridor for the majority of the year. Unfortunately, the corridor is closed to all recreation types October 1st through November 15th, this being hunting season of course, also one of the best boating windows. This easement will open up those 'private waters' to boating this spring. I gained this information from John Gibbs out of the Potsdam DEC office.
In a few weeks this section of the Grasse river will have public access at a number of spots according to a Ranger at the NYDEC office in Potsdam. The designated river corridor under conservation easement will be open to the public for recreational purposes (I think excluding hunting) with a similar legal structure as that in place on the South Branch.
I've run into problems at the footbridge mentioned earlier at the Stillwater Club as well. Soon, 'these here private waters' won't be an issue. I'll keep you posted....