Recorded level gauges: Call an outfitter to find the current
level.
On-line level gauges:
The whitewater section of the Moose is located in central
upstate NY about 6 hours from NYC.
Click for a overview map.
The lower section of the river is runable a short time in the
early spring depending on snow melt and rainfall.
There are usually fall releases giving enough water to paddle the
lower section.
The bottom section is usually boatable all summer. Minimum for
Bottom is considered 2.5' at McKeever gauge. Good is
anything from 2.75'-4.5'. Real good is 4.5'-5.5'.
Locals don't generally run Bottom over 6' (thanks & a tip of
the hat to the General).
A nice virtual tour with photos and descriptions of the rapids is at http://www.dreamscape.com/kkemp/moose, and a comic book style guide to the rapids is at http://www.cheme.cornell.edu/karl/moose_ill.htm
There are two whitewater sections: the lower Moose and the bottom Moose. The lower Moose runs from Iron Bridge to Fowlerville Road Bridge and is a drop-pool class III-IV under normal release conditions, and a dangerous, cold class V under spring runoff conditions. Several long flatwater stretches under low water conditions. Major rapids include Tannery, Rooster Tail, Froth Hole, Mixmaster (don't miss surfing the 2nd hole), and Larry's Drop.
The bottom Moose from Fowlerville Bridge to Lyons Falls is a short IV-V with several challenging drops starting with a 40' slide down the face of a dam and ending with a 15' waterfall. It is runnable most of the summer, but is too high under spring conditions. Highlights here include the 40' slide down the face of the dam, Knife Edge, Crucible, a double falls, 12' Falls (actually 18'), Surform, Powerline, and Crystal. Several portages around dams are required.
 Trip Reports
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This information is my opinion only and may not reflect actual conditions. It is based on my usually hazy memory, and should not be used to decide whether you or your guides are qualified to run the river. |  Back to the rafting page put-in. |