Paddling News

Information for Paddlers

River Run Reports

           
Paddling activities by the Friends of the Kayaderosseras (FoK) have been expanded to help you plan an enjoyable river run.   In addition to helping with trash pickups, we are doing scouting trips, clearing passages through tree-down obstacles, and advising paddlers about hazards and conditions to be expected in different sections of the creek at various water levels.  

Currently, FoK paddling events are limited to the section from Kelley Park in Ballston Spa downstream to Saratoga Lake.  Paddling of sections upstream of Kelley Park mostly requires high springtime water levels and white water skills.  (For example, a potentially dangerous low head dam is immediately upstream from Kelley Park)  

The section from Kelley Park to Saratoga Lake is about 9.5 miles long.   It starts off with a fast flowing stretch about one mile long immediately below Kelley Park.   This stretch is canoeable in the spring but tends to be too shallow in the summer months.   The next access point, Gray’s Crossing (Burl Trail), begins a slower flowing section about five miles long which can often be paddled during the summer months but is limited by another shallow section as Route 9 is approached. 

From Route 9 down to Saratoga Lake, including the Nelson Avenue Extension, the Kayaderosseras is slow moving and can be paddled through the summer and can  usually be paddled upstream as well as downstream.   The Lake Lonely outlet flows into this section and can be paddled through the summer in both directions.   The Lake Lonely boat livery also provides a handy (paid) access point.   When Saratoga Lake is reached, paddlers have the option of crossing the lake to the New York State Boat Launch or carrying out to the Arrowhead Road access point, or paddling back to the Lake Lonely boat livery or the Nelson Avenue Extension access point. 

The entire 9.5 mile section is an attractive stream for paddling because much of it is wild and isolated even though several highways cross it.   Wildlife is plentiful.   While most of it is slow moving in the summer and does not require white water paddling skills, there are hazards, especially at high water, which require caution.   The most common hazard is caused by trees falling into the creek.   The Kayaderosseras is narrow enough that a single tree can completely block boat passage and can trap unwary paddlers. 

Therefore, FoK is now offering an expanded website to aid paddlers.   Link on  “Information for Paddlers” for safety tips and for guidance on how to find the water level of the creek and the significance of the level to safety and boat scraping 

The link called “River Run Reports” provides paddlers with reports to identify tree-down obstacles on the date of the trip, but, of course, do not report obstacles which develop after the trip.  Maps of the Creek are provided to refer to when reading these reports.