Rochester Creek

As JD says, this is a very pretty stream that's a lot of fun. It's possible to put in farther upstream, but the easy trip is from DeWitt Rd (optional 8' waterfall under the bridge) to either Dug Road or Boodle Hole Road. The location shown on the AW map, as well as the listing for 'Doug' Road is for an access point about midway through the typical trip.
See this map instead: http://tinyurl.com/rochester-creek

I think of this as a really easy intro to creeking. It's small and intimate, but not fast or technical (at least at modest levels). The first half is no more than class 2, and there's an option to take out at Dug Road. 1.5 miles below DeWitt road there's a small dam to watch for. At reasonable levels it should be easy to spot and take out on the left. Runnable at low levels, but the hole can get nasty as levels rise. The second half builds to 2+ or easy 3 at the end, finishing with a couple of ledge holes. They might get a bit sticky, but can be punched at modest levels.

First ran this in March, 2010 at perhaps 5000 CFS on the Rondout gauge (Rosendale), which was a very good level. Ran it in March, 2011 at 1800, which resulted in a fair amount of bumping and scraping. Figure an absolute minimum of 1650, with 2100 being much better. Cleared snow showed that parts were 4' higher when the Rondout was at 20,000 a few days earlier, so I'd guess at a maximum of perhaps 7500.

I'm not sure how low this can be run, but if the Rondout at Rosendale is at 5000 CFS this should be good to go.

Jeff runs the drop at the small dam, 1.5 miles into the run. This was at a near minimum level for the run.

Did this last winter (jan-feb2010). It's basically CL2-2+, at least at lower water. Although I would usaully be quite bored on such a creek, I really enjoyed it. It goes through a seemingly remote area with ever-greens most of the way which makes it real beautiful in the winter. The rock formations reminded me of ithica. What ever road it was we started at, the creek goes under the road and immediatly drop about 12ft(?) swallow water fall. you will hit bottom. I didn't break my boat, it was fun, not sure if I'd do it again unless higher water gives a bit more water to cushin the rock bottom.

The last drop above the Boodle Hole take out is a river wide ledge hole. Use Rondout @ Rosendale gauge (High Falls to Rosendale).

This is the optional waterfall at the DeWitt Road put in. There's about 2 feet of shallow ledge extending out from the bottom, so don't miss your boof.

Upstream view from the Dug Road put in / take out. Fairly representative of the rapids above Dug Road. Most of the creek is prettier than this spot.