Mohawk

3. Cohoes Falls to Hudson River(Upper Cohoes Wave)

Reach banner
DifficultyII-IV(V+)
Length0.6 mi
Avg Gradientn/a
GaugeMohawk River at Cohoes Ny
Flow Rate as of 45 minutes
7.91 ftbelow recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedApril 21, 2016

River Description

Rumor is that Cohoes Falls was run in 2012 on the river left side which is (acessable by continuing up the path); however, the main attraction for this section are the high water waves.  These features fully form above 15.5 ft and increase in size as the river continues to rise. The main wave is easily comparable to Inner-City Strife on the Black River in Watertown.

While there is a very large (800ft long) straight-forward eddy that forms behind the waves, missing it is not an option and will result in having to run the river to the power dam below Saratoga Ave to take out on the river left eddy.  Similarly, a swim could be disastrous.

If you are in the neighborhood and the level isn't quite right it can still be worth the trip to check out the waves.  When the Lower Cohoes Wave isn't in there will sometimes still be a shallow surf wave at this location. Also at slightly lower levels the main wave will form a hole.

Bring a 50ft rope so there is plenty of slack to tie your boat with.

Here is a video at low water (11ft)

Capital Region Area Reaches

Basic Creek Batten Kill Claverack Creek

Cobleskill Creek Fox Creek Hannacrois Creek

Hoosic Hudson (Lock 2)

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River Features

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Cohoes Falls

Class: V+Distance: 0 mi
Waterfall / Large Drop
Cohoes Falls

A 90ft drop which goes from bone dry in the summer, to raging and brown when the waves are in.

Upper Cohoes Waves

Class: III+Distance: 0.1 mi
Upper Cohoes Waves

Forming at around 15.5 ft these waves get bigger and more powerful as the water continues to rise.

Take Out

Distance: 3 mi
Take Out

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