Salmon (Lake Champlain)

This is an odd section of river. It is mostly very easy, with one short (1/2 mile) section that is totally out of character. Always be on the lookout for trees in the river.

From the put-in on the Military Turnpike, the first mile is easy paddling - mostly quick-water with a few rapids - certainly nothing harder than I/II.

After you go under the Salmon River Road bridge, the river picks up to Class II. Soon after this there is a 7-foot drop into a slide (class III) that is worth a look. This can be seen from the route 22 bridge (downstream), but not well enough to pick a line. Just below the drop/slide, there may be some trees down so be careful. Soon after the drop, you go under the route 22 bridge. Just below the bridge is a class IV rapid consisting of a slide, followed quickly by a second rapid that pushes up against the river-right wall. The water in here, at least at the level we ran, was surprisingly pushy.

Below this rapid, you go under the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87). The rapids ease back to class II for the next 0.2 miles to a railroad bridge. Below this, the rapids soon stop completely. The next 3 miles is complete flat-water, with logjams and possibly beaver activity blocking your way. After 3 miles you go by the end of the runway from the old Air Force base, then under another railroad bridge. From here to the lake (1 mile), the water picks up again to class I-II, finishing with a nice little class II slide as you go under route 9 to Lake Champlain.

Be aware that all the land around here is privately owned. As this is not classified as a navigable river, I am not sure paddlers have much in the way of rights to scout and portage. The landowners near the two drops were very accommodating to us, but be warned they may not always be so understanding.

First (known) descent: Craig Allison, Steve Bailey, Andy Johnson, Rob Anderson, John Mulholland 4/3/2004.

There is another section of river upstream from Davis Lak

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