Paddling News- Information for Paddlers

Suggested Guidance for River Conditions below Kelley Park
at Various Water Levels

 The Kayaderosseras between Kelley Park and Saratoga Lake is canoeable much of the spring, summer and fall.   But the canoeability and safety vary depending on water level.   At low water, boats may be scraped on the bottom.  At high water, the current is fast and strong and can carry boats into dangerous obstacles.

Friends of the Kayaderosseras is working on a system to provide guidance for this.   For this purpose the Kayaderosseras is divided into three sections:

1.  Kelley Park to Gray’s Crossing (Burl Trail) Launch Site
2.  The Launch to Nelson Avenue Extension
3.  Nelson Avenue Extension to Saratoga Lake

There is currently no permanent water level gauge at Kelley Park, but there is an eight-inch drainage pipe which empties into the river from the pool side and is visible from Kelley Park.  The pipe is low on the pool side bank about 30 yards downstream from a fire hydrant.   This pipe makes a useful gauge as shown below.

The guidance below tells paddlers what conditions to expect on the various sections of the Kayaderosseras at each indicated river level.   The guidance is necessarily approximate and may change slightly as additional runs are made.   The guidance was prepared by experienced Kayaderosseras paddlers, but cannot be guaranteed to prevent accidents.  

IMAGES OF PIPES COMING SOON.

The drainage pipe is not visible.   It is below the water level.  The water level may be undesirably high for paddling.

The drainage pipe is barely visible.  The water level is a little high but is runnable with caution in all sections.

The drainage pipe is half visible.  The water level should be good in all sections.

Most of the drainage pipe is visible.  The river is runnable in all sections but some scraping is possible below Kelley Park and approaching Route 9.

The drainage pipe is fully visible.  The water level is undesirably low.   Significant scraping will occur below Kelley Park and approaching Route 9.   Paddling below Nelson Avenue Extension should be good.

The Kayaderosseras is a fun paddling stream but there are hazards, especially at high water. 
Here are some safety tips:

Trees Down ~
At high water the current can carry you into the tree, tip you over and possibly trap you underneath.  Stay well upstream or go to shore until you see a clear passage.

Strong Currents on Curves ~
Strong currents can carry you into the outside shore of curves and pin you there.  Stay to the inside of curves.

Underwater Rocks or Logs ~
They can stop your boat or tip you over.  They may not be visible but they usually make a visible disturbance on the surface.  Steer around them.

And NYS Law requires ~
“All boats and canoes must carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person on board.”  Good judgment suggests wearing the PFD, especially at high water.

 DRAFT:  Sept. 2007, Will Holt
MODIFIED:  4/23/09