Independence
2. Donnattsburgh Road to Old Pine Grove Road
| Difficulty | II-V |
| Length | 2.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 85 fpm |
| Gauge | Independence River at Donnattsburg Ny |
| Flow Rate as of 40 minutes | 292 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 14, 2016 |
River Description
Depending on the level this creek can be a great training ground for paddlers learning to creek, a beautiful and fun run, or a challenge for advanced boaters. Run either as park and huck, or as a full river run with a creeky finish, this is a classic!
Starting at the Donnattsburgh Road bridge the creek is a straightforward river run at lower water and at high water a rocket ride boofing over holes and rocks. Once past the powerlines the river becomes less continuous and the first drop appears. Scout on the left, or boat scout running down the left channel.
After the first drop is the Fat Lady. Starting in a pool above an old dam the currrent is devided by a massive rock named Mega Dome. Stay left unless you have scouted for wood in the right channel. The main line is left at the dome, then right at the split to stay in the center channel. To the far left is a channel which goes into a hard corner with a jutting rock known as Elbow Breaker. Despite the name this channel can be run safely at almost any level. The river converges again for a boof just above the Rudd Road bridge. Eddy out below the bridge and scout The Wall.
The Wall starts with a channelized entrance into a left to right move to avoid getting body slammed on granite. From the eddy on the right work your way down through the next ledge to river center. The last boof is formed by two large rocks in river center. At lower water it is easy to fall between the two rocks. Be aware of the pin hazard and plan your line so you are clear. Either cross the devide high and boof right, or stay left.
Take out at the next bridge on river left. This is Pine Grove Road.
Want a run that you can take beginners on but still have some fun? Run from Donnattsburgh Road to Rudd Road and let beginners walk the slide or run their boats down for them.
The Independence River was named to honor the national holiday by surveyor/engineer Pierre Pharoux in the 1790's. In those days, the French
...River Features
Gauge
The gauge is just downstream of the putin, on the downstream river right-side of the bridge.
Put In
Powerline
Boof
Fat Lady
This is the Big One, the reason why people run the Indy. It starts with a weird slide by an old diversion dam. Typically, the boater heads left for the big slide (pictured), although it's possible to head right for a narrow channel with a fierce hole. The runout leads the paddler to the boof at the bridge (next rapid).
Photo by Steve Graley of Jim Mumme on 5/2/02 at 250 cfs.
Bridge Boof
This is typically regarded as the last drop of the Fat Lady. (Note the slide way up there in the background). You can see it coming by looking for the old bridge above the river. There are creases and channels you don't want to be in, but at normal levels, this isn't too tough a drop. Scout from the bridge.
Photo of Mike Nickel by Steve Graley on 5/2/02 at 250 cfs.
The Wall
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportIn the 'old days', I think the second rapid was called 'The Three Sisters' because it's multiple 'islands' forming multiple channels just before the Fat Lady.
As of 10/18/2014 there is a large root ball in the center line of Fat Lady, right at the base of the middle drop. Scout and run either of the other two lines with caution.
Edit: Root Ball removed this is no longer an issue.
As of 10/25/2014, the root ball was removed from Fat Lady. The center line is now runnable thanks to the rope work and efforts of at least 10 people.
Level 600
First section above Fat Lady 600 cfs was a Good medium level , its in majority class 3+.
Second section beginning at Fat Lady until take out 600cfs medium-high water level , class 4+(5), Fat Lady on 600cfs was pushy less water should be better for fat lady, after fat lady its a fun run on this level.
Bastien
This Fat Lady gonna give you a whuppin!
this Fat Lady got one gnarly bottom!
Hans boofs his Dagger Prophet.
I had walked this rapid the year before at 700 cfs and it bugged me all year long. I was happy to have another opportunity this year. After my first run, I promptly ran back for another.
It's hard to put into words. I shared the small eddy at the bottom with a girl who had just finished her run as well. We sat in our boat giggling uncontrollably. I promptly got out and ran up to do it again.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
More of my photos can be found on my NEW kayakingphotos.com page and my American Whitewater page.
Unfortunately, this is a early spring release river. It has the best introduction to Steep creeking I've been on yet !
260cfs was a nice easy level, but, more water would have made for more options and less scrapey. The upper section sometimes got pretty boney and pins were a real hazard. I think 300-400cfs would be optimal.
This rapid has 3 options at this level. This is the middle slide.