Fish Creek

Fish Creek is north-central New York State's most scenic whitewater run. Slicing through over five miles of sheer, slate canyon walls, Fish Creek resembles scenery found along rugged Rocky Mountain streams. Eighteen waterfalls cascade down canyon walls along five miles of the eight- mile trip; some of the waterfalls reach 90 feet of free-falling vertical. The canyon creates a real sense of wilderness, with virtually no bank alongside the creek, hawks hovering over- head, and clear, clean water creating a habitat for trout and walleyed pike. Fish Creek provides drinking water for the city of Rome, New York, diverted at Boyd Dam. The river is virtually inaccessible through the upper gorge section, and rescue would be very difficult (a helicopter would be necessary to evacuate boaters should a mishap occur). Every year a number of boats are lost on Fish Creek, lost by inexperienced paddlers unable to rescue themselves through the narrow (50-foot wide) canyon section. Rated Class 111+ in difficulty, this section requires caution in determining whether you should paddle it.
Floods play a big part in shaping Fish Creek below the confines of the towering slate walls. The Fish courses through gravel bars: its path was changed as much as 15 yards by flooding in 1985. That 1985 flood also eliminated one of the 'named' rapids (Palmer Bridge), and enhanced z section of play holes below Taberg not previously run. Strainers are a very real problem on the Fish in the section ~ the canyon; trees are washed into the narrow stream bed due to erosion of the loose gravel underneath. Scouting on the Fish is more for blowdowns than for major rapids.
The put-in (A) for the eight-mile trip starts at the Point Lock bridge in Ava, on Ava Road off Route 26. Fish Creek drains the Tug Hill plateau, which provides a long, spring runoff season due to traditionally heavy snowfall. The takeout ('B) is one mile south of Taberg on Blossvale Road off Route 69. Look for a field below the last of the rapids for the best departure from the river. The Taberg gauge is found at the second, smaller Taberg bridge above the take-out. It is on the downstream left side of the bridge, a handmade gauge with levels in Roman numerals from two to five feet. Minimum flow is 1.5 feet; maximum level is 4.5 feet, due to the dangers caused by the Fish running over its banks and in to the woods.
Class 11+ paddling begins the first few miles of the voyage through the isolated canyon. Expect few rocks, plenty of standing waves and adequate eddies during this stretch. The scenery here has been described by many as better than that through the Hudson River Gorge, with plenty of play spots besides cascading waterfalls. The only portage of the run lies Boyd dam, with the easiest hike around on the left. The land here is owned by the city of Rome, and no-trespassing signs are evident. Below the dam, the gradient increases to 55 feet per mile, with Class III+ rapids diverting your attention away from the fantastic scenery. At high water, this section approaches Class IV due to a lack of eddies, and because of the severe consequences should a swim occur. The only 'named' rapid, Hotel California, lies between the dam and the first bridge (Palmer Bridge). The strongly possessive characteristics of this hole should be avoided on the right. Below Palmer Bridge, the canyon begins to open up, and the riverbed changes from jagged slate to shifting gravel. Be on the alert for blowdowns all along the remainder of the run to one mile below Taberg.
The floods of 1985 may have wiped out Palmer Bridge rapids, but they created a whitewater playground below Taberg. A number of excellent play holes are found, along with a stretch of big waves and minor boulder dodging. The take-out is below the last of the rapids alongside Route 69.
Fish Creek, despite its Class 111+ rating, is a river to respect when the water is high. There have been two river fatalities, and a handful of serious mishaps involving open canoeists who literally got in over their heads. Despite these sobering statistics, the Fish is a fun and extremely attractive run that can be paddled after only an inch or so of heavy rains in Oneida County. Gauge levels can be obtained through Mountain Sports at (315) 736-5336.

Fish Creek

Section: Point Rock bridge, Ava, to Taberg Counties: Oneida

USGS Quads: Point Rock, Lee Center
Suitable for: Day cruising
Skill level: Intermediate through advanced
Months Runnable: March through May, after periods of heavy rain Interest Highlights: Scenery, whitewater, wildlife

Gradient: 54 feet per mile
Runnable Water levels: Taberg bridge gauge
Minimum: 1.5 feet Maximum: 4.5 feet
Hazards: Strainers, changeable river bed, scarcity of eddies

Scouting: Lower section, for strainers Portages: Boyd Dam

Scenery: Spectacular-wilderness canyon
Difficulty: International Scale Class III (111+ in high water) Average Width: 50 feet
Velocity: Fast

Rescue Index: Inaccessible to remote
Source of Additional Information: Mountain Sports (315) 736-5336 Access Points River Miles Shuttle Miles 8.0