Salmon (Lake Ontario)
2. Route 2A to Black Hole through Pulaski
| Difficulty | I-III |
| Length | 3.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Salmon River at Pineville Ny |
| Flow Rate as of 59 minutes | 851 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 7, 2024 |
River Description
The Salmon is a pleasant Class-II stream which runs fairly frequently. It's one of the most reliable runs in western NY. Releases in mid-late summer make it runnable when most streams have dried up. There's some pretty good play, culminating in Titanic, an excellent hole.
It's also a popular fishing river. When the fishermen are angling for salmon, you can find yourself threading the needle among multiple fishing lines.
Scheduled releases, with natural flow after heavy rain.
Directions from Mike Shafer, of the FLOW Paddlers' Club:
Putin: Best place to put-in is at a place called 'Trash Compactor.'
From I-81 take exit #36, for Rte. 13. (approx 35 miles north of Syracuse)
Turn right, going East on Rte. 36.
Approx 1 mile, make a left turn onto Rte. 2A.
Approx 1/10 of a mile, you are on a bridge crossing the Salmon.
Turn right, just over the bridge, into the parking lot/DEC access site...
...you can see it looking right (upstream) from the bridge.
Takeout: You have to drive through town, to a place called Black Hole (at the wastewater treatment plant).
People in town could direct you there (or check out the map in the Directions tab), but there should be no problem hooking up for a shuttle from the put-in lot. Shuttle's only about 10 minutes, each way.
Sharon sez: 'The Salmon has a TON of surfing. The higher the water, the better. Get there at 2000 cfs in the spring if you can.'
Check out the Salmon site for some info on this river.
The CNY Club maintains an Events Calendar which might help you hook up with people who have info on this run.
The date of this year's Salmon Festival is not yet known; check the Zoar Valley Paddling Clu
...River Features
Put-In: The Trash Compactor
The put in is at a DEC fishing access where route 2a crosses the Salmon River. It is sometimes called the “Trash Compactor” since it is next a solid waste collection facility. There is plenty of parking. Two boat ramps provide easy access to the river. Just below the put in, the Bridge Abutments on route 2A create big eddies to warm up and wait for other members of your paddling group to launch.
Firemen's Field
An alternate putin or P&P spot.
Heading West on 13 from I-81, take a Right onto Lewis Rd.
Park at the end of the field road and carry down the narrow path, making sure you rub poison ivy all over your legs for good luck. There's a great play wave right there at the putin. Either paddle to the end of the field and carry back up, or run the river to Black Hole.
This is a long, fun rapid with good surf. There are several smaller surf waves at the top. One wave on river left has decent eddy service.
Halfway down the rapids there’s a series of two big holes. These are called Dead Rock Star.
There are two great waves at the bottom of the rapid, called the Woodcutter Waves.
Woodcutter Waves
At the bottom of Firemen's Field Rapid there are two great waves. These are called Woodcutter Waves. (The waves are on river right, just downstream of the boat ramp on river left.) These waves are some of the best surf on the river. But they require a little caution. They have eddy service on river right, but the eddy’s have strong current and collect wood. Their banks also have undercut tree roots. Also, the trees above the waves tend to collect fishing lines and hooks from the local fishermen. So take a good look for fish hooks at eye-level. Ouch!
Titanic
Then Titanic: an excellent hole. At low water (500 cfs?), it's not deep enough to make everything work; but higher, you can play your heart out here.
You can sneak Titanic on river right. You can also run river left into the eddy just downstream. Also, many people just punch through Titanic. Then, let the side-surfing begin! At 750-1000 cfs, Titanic is a nice, even hole that stretches across most of the river. There’s good eddy service on both sides. Titanic has a nice frothy pillow, and spin corners on both sides. It’s relatively deep, but you can bang an end when throwing cartwheels. And keep that edge up, because Titanic is happy to window-shade you!
At higher levels, Titanic becomes less even, and more wave-like on one side – sometimes good for front surfing.
Just downstream is another feature called Lusitania. It’s sometimes good for front surfing. But mostly it just scares people who swim out of Titanic.
Take out - The Black Hole
The take out is on river right at the Black Hole. The Black hole is a giant pool of slow deep water, so practice your roll until you’re exhausted!
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reporthttps://safewaters.com/facility/42 for flow info coming out of the dam
Salmon River (Pulaski NY) Rapids and Access Points
Pay special attention to the fisherman. The salmon were jumping all over. Fisherman are lining the banks and key spots. Many eddys were occupied by our New Yorks finest fisherman. Give them room and be careful. Great Run at 2 in the afternoon. Water about 2100 cfs and about 7.5 feet
lunch stop ledges
boats lined up while owners shuttle. typical summer scene for a release day on the Salmon.
Just above Black Hole
well dont try to loop in there it hurts.... but yet im dumb enough to try it a few more times...
This is the wave on river left, just upstream from the low bridge at Pulaski. That's me and my Redline buried in it. You can just see my back and the blue tip of the boat punching out!
This little spot has surprised many a boater, that leans the wrong way, because just below this is the Titanic, waiting to swallow you.
This is the best playhole on the river.
The Salmon has a TON of surfing. The higher the water the better. Get there at 2000cfs in the spring if you can.