Keuka Outlet
Penn Yan to Dresden
| Difficulty | I-III(V+) |
| Length | 6.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Keuka Lake Outlet at Dresden Ny |
| Flow Rate as of 42 minutes | 557 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 7, 2016 |
River Description
This reach has enjoyed a resurgence! Courtesy of Cascade Falls Kayak Adventures, the Friends of the Outlet, the Village of Penn Yan and the Keuka Lake Outlet Association, the strainers are cleared out by volunteers. the stream has a whitewater slalom course and a 7.5-mile hiking and biking trail. WW Slalom races are held there in the spring and fall. Racing teams from NY, New England and Pennsylvania use this site to train.
For Driving Directions from all points to the mill and the competition center, click here.
For directions to the putin in downtown Penn Yan, click here.
Finger Lakes Area Runs
Bowman CreekCascadilla Creek Canandaigua Outlet
Canaseraga Creek Canisteo Cayuga Lake Hole
...River Features
Penn Yan Putin
There are several putins, but the earliest is in Penn Yan. There's a small parking lot, with a short walk to the Outlet. There is a walking trail the entire 7+ miles of the outlet. Be on the lookout for people walking, riding bikes or on Horses if you find it necessary to be on the trail.
Keuka Falls
Sorry, guys. This one's unrunnable; you'd be landing on rocks from 20+ feet. Portage left.
Cascade Falls
You can recognize this broken-down dam by the beat-up building on River Left. Get out when you see the Warning sign. The property owers understand the river passage laws and allow for safe passage around the falls. By permit the Falls are runnable during designated Special Events.
The Tube
This is a short tunnel under a bridge. It dumps you into a small hole. Watch out for the island directly after the tunnel--it has a tendency to collect wood.
Dresden Takeout
Take out just before the Milo Rd. bridge on River Right.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWent for a low water release of the outlet.
Parked at the Cascade Falls parking lot 42.66721596708027, -76.99446515917597
and carried back up.
Level was at 182cfs, lowest I have run it at. It was low but definitly paddleable.
Saw a piece of rebar sticking up on the river left channel of the falls that we had never noticed before. It is bent over in the correct direction but just be aware.
See picture below.
There was also quite a bit of wood in the river right slot.
Running Cascade Falls and RR Tunnel on Keuka Outlet
at 2 tubes.
Hans OC1's the falls. he flipped but rolled his canoe before running out the rapids below. he's run it flawless before, and did so again on his second run this day.
Historic Cascade Falls, signifies the start of the White Water Comptetition Center
Historic Cascade Falls located at the start of the WW Competition Center on the Keuka Outlet, Penn Yan New York
Kirk Beaver plunges over the second waterfall of Keuka Outlet.
believe it or not, these guys ran Cascade falls with the gear you see here. Helmets were a good idea, but no float bags or skirts. they simply said the kayaks sank immediately and then they had to chase gear. they were late high school age and some were headed to college in fall, we gave them info on better gear and instruction.