Schroon
Starbuckville to Riverbank
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 6.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 30 fpm |
| Gauge | Schroon River at Riverbank Ny |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 1.44 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 12, 2016 |
This section of the Schroon river is rated as a class II/III. There is an alternate putin at latitude 43.6453972, longitude -73.7598190. The purpose for this alternate putin is to avoid over a mile of flat water; if you put in here, your run will be about 3.25 miles. You will miss two rapids, however. The first, a 25-foot-long class II, is under the Rte. 8 bridge; it is quite bony at lower levels. The second rapid is much longer but I have not run it so I cannot say anything as to its level.
If you use the alternate putin I would caution you to be careful to avoid the private section of riverbank immediately across from the log home. It would be wise to not park your cars there either, even though the shoulder of the road is public (public relations, you know). On each side of this small section of private riverbank is public land. If you choose to use the alternate putin, you will be immediately above the third rapid of this section, which is a III-. It is run center to right center to center. If the water is above 4.8 be careful of the pourover just above the last drop on river right as the current will push you that way. There are some fun surfing waves below both drops if the level is right.
After a short calm you will come to the fourth rapid. This is a class II at all levels with many easy waves to surf and very long (about 1 mile). If it gets close to the minimum flow it gets rather bony. Above 4.8 the trees are in the current so the swim can be very long.
About 1/2 mile below you will arrive at the biggest rapid on the river which is called 'the big drop.' If you have not been on the section before it would be wise to scout it first as the lines are not visible till you are on the drop itself. Do NOT scout from the right bank as the owner is NOT friendly to paddlers. You will know you are close to the rapid because you will hear the roar around a sharp bend to the right. At that time proceed anywhere to the left bank and pull out to scou
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If you put in here, your run will be about three miles. You will miss two rapids, however. The first, a 25-foot-long class II, is under the Rte. 8 bridge; it is quite bony at lower levels. The second rapid is much longer but I have not run it so I cannot say anything as to its level. If you use the alternate putin I would caution you to be careful to avoid the private section of riverbank immediately across from the log home. It would be wise to not park your cars there either, even though the shoulder of the road is public (public relations, you know). On each side of this small section of private riverbank is public land.
Sep 1, 2025
Marty Plante on The Big Drop, Schroon River, Warren County, NY. (Photo taken at GPS 43.617471, -73.745522) .
Sep 7, 2011
2011 9/7 We ran this last weekend and will again this coming Saturday at 5:30AM (yup we are early birds). I have run this from 3.7 weeks prior. When we ran it last week levels where 5.8-6. 5.8-6 is a very fun level. We put in at the DAM which means a few extra rapids but a bit of flat water as well. I think it is worth the extra flat water. Total run from the DAM takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. The mile long strecth of rapids is very fun at 3.9 feet or greater. Anything lower is runnalbe but very boney. Anything above 5 it would be good to have your roll down but there are plenty of places to get back in your boat so no worries for sure. Currently there is scafling hanging from the 2 nd or 3rd Bridge for repairs, hang left and you cruise right under it if the levels are 6' or less. At 7' you may want to portage around on the right, very easy portage. Rather then go around or hit my head, we choose to go straight down the middle, dump over, wait 7 seconds and rolled back over. No issues.
Now the best and most fun rapid is near the end. I would not call this the 'BIG' drop, rather just 'the drop' or as we called it after seeing it at 4'....'little missy' since it was very underwhellming at this level. However that all changes at 6'. 'little missy' which looks like a bumpy ride at 4' churns water back about the size of a Tahoe SUV. Now there are 3 routes. #1 At level 6' River left through the Tahoe sized wave/ hole...if you do not know how to roll in a hole...avoid this route. If you can roll you will be getting wet. #2 River Right, this is the safest route followed by a nice large wave to launch your self up up and away. You could go river right and before the nice large wave scoot left...but what fun is that. This is the route the other guys on our trip took with no issue and launched off the nice wave. #3 River Center...this is the route I choose since I was not sure which way I wanted to go this time. I ended up going through the Tahoe Sized Churning Wave/Hole on its right side. I succesfully made it through but this put me a bit side ways. Next I was pushed to the Nice large wave river right, hit that side ways...up up and away and came down upside down. Rolled back up and road the rest of the smaller waves to the flat water section.
At 6' I would say it was the most fun and the DROP or Little Missy is a solid class III but is not very long so no worries if you really don't have your roll down. Scouting on river left is very easy and there is beaten trail. At 4' no real need to scout but is a nice place to eat lunch over looking Little Missy on the rock.
