- Town of Waterford, Saratoga County
- Activities: Park and Play
- Length: 100 yards
- Current: Class II – V
- Scenery: Urban Industrial
- Gauge: USGS Real-Time Data for New York Streamflow
Trip tip: Wear ear and nose plugs. Don’t Swim!
This feature on the Mohawk River has become popular over the past several years. There seems to always be a wave or hole to play in at any water level. Playboating here can be a blast. Wear noseplugs and earplugs being careful of industrial pollution. This area is where the Mohawk River flows into the Hudson River. The Mohawk River flows around several islands at this confluence.
From the parking area walk up the river about 100 yards and carefully climb down the shale bank to the river to put in. Paddling up the river is a nice place to warm up and check out the water flowing over a low head dam. As you start to paddle downstream there is a good surf wave to catch on the fly. The hole on river right is shallow but fun to hop in and try your luck. Keep that up stream chine up when you try to spin and side surf. The hole will keep you in there if you want. The NYS surface water gauge is Mohawk at Cohoes – hence the name, Cohoes Wave. The drainage for the Mohawk River is more than 3000 square miles. USGS Real-Time Data for New York Streamflow.
Directions: Fulton Ave
From the north take Exit 8a off of the Northway(I-87). Head east on Grooms Rd (Rte 91). Cross over Rte 9 and continue on Guideboard Rd. (Rte. 94). This turns into Middletown Rd (Rte. 96) to the Town of Waterford. Make a right onto Saratoga Ave (Rte 32). Stay on Saratoga Ave until you see the McDonald’s on the right. Make a left onto Fulton Ave. Park in the park at the end of the road.