Raquette

Ran this 4/30/2022 at 8.2 on the Piercefield gauge (whatever that means, it's like 50 miles downstream). At that level, it was II-II+ with maybe one rapid approaching a III and could approach III at higher water (the last two after buttermilk falls). The two hardest rapids were the one after buttermilk falls and the one right after the dam at forked lake. There are a ton of trees but nothing was river wide and you could usually snake through, but you'll want to scout the first rapid after the dam and any time you see a big tree around a bend. Fairly pretty section, but the prettiest I would say is the class II section from Raquette lake to Forked lake. I'm pretty sure that never gets paddled and it is beautiful back there (but short). Buttermilk falls is impressive if nothing else, but I'd really only run this again if I was doing something else in the area. I suspect the gauge reading is less relevant than the snowpack/ recent rain. If you wanted a rowdier run, maybe right after ice out would be the best bet.

There is also a gauge on river right that you'll see soon after leaving the dam. It read 1.15 feet when the automated gauge was at 5.70. This level is just runnable. It is rock garden and you're spending your time trying to stay off the rocks, but it was O.K. and something to run with water in it.

Good class II run if water is up - some strainers -