Saranac River
Encyclopedia
Saranac River is an 81 miles (130.4 km) river
in the U.S. state
of New York
. In its upper reaches is a region of mostly flat water and lakes. The river has more than three dozen source lakes and ponds north of Upper Saranac Lake; the highest is Mountain Pond on Long Pond Mountain. In the last third of its length it drops two-thirds of its total drop, and is known for having navigable rapids, which make it a popular site for whitewater
kayak
ing and canoeing
.
The Saranac River empties into Lake Champlain
at the City of Plattsburgh
in Clinton County, New York
. The river flows in a northeasterly direction from the Adirondack Mountains
.
The river encompasses Upper
, Middle
and Lower Saranac Lake
s, as well as Oseetah Lake
, Lake Flower
, Franklin Falls Pond
and Union Falls Pond, and flows through the village of Saranac Lake
; there are lock
s between Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes, and between Lower and Oseetah, although the drop is only a few feet. Thirty-three miles further northeast, the river flows through the village of Saranac
, before winding through Plattsburgh, reaching Lake Champlain after a further 23 miles.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In its upper reaches is a region of mostly flat water and lakes. The river has more than three dozen source lakes and ponds north of Upper Saranac Lake; the highest is Mountain Pond on Long Pond Mountain. In the last third of its length it drops two-thirds of its total drop, and is known for having navigable rapids, which make it a popular site for whitewater
Whitewater
Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river's gradient increases enough to disturb its laminar flow and create turbulence, i.e. form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current; the frothy water appears white...
kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
ing and canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
.
The Saranac River empties into Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
at the City of Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh (city), New York
Plattsburgh is a city in and county seat of Clinton County, New York, United States. The population was 19,989 at the 2010 census. The population of the unincorporated areas within the Town of Plattsburgh was 11,870 as of the 2010 census; making the population for the immediate, urban Plattsburgh,...
in Clinton County, New York
Clinton County, New York
Clinton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 82,128. Its name is in honor of the first Governor of New York as a state, George Clinton. Its county seat is Plattsburgh.-History:...
. The river flows in a northeasterly direction from the Adirondack Mountains
Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties....
.
The river encompasses Upper
Upper Saranac Lake
Upper Saranac Lake is one of three connected lakes, part of the Saranac River, in the towns of Santa Clara and Harrietstown, near the village of Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks in northern New York. Upper Saranac Lake is the sixth largest lake in the Adirondacks. With Middle Saranac Lake and...
, Middle
Middle Saranac Lake
Middle Saranac Lake, also called Round Lake, is the smallest of three connected lakes, part of the Saranac River, near the village of Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks in northern New York. Two-thirds of its shoreline is state-owned...
and Lower Saranac Lake
Lower Saranac Lake
Lower Saranac Lake is one of three connected lakes, part of the Saranac River, near the village of Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks in northern New York. With Middle Saranac Lake and Upper Saranac Lake, a paddle with only one portage is possible. The Saranac Lake Islands Public Campground provides...
s, as well as Oseetah Lake
Oseetah Lake
Oseetah Lake is a lake in the New York Adirondack State Park two and a half miles south of the village of Saranac Lake on the Saranac River. It is located mostly in the town of Harrietstown, but its easternmost porttion extends into the town of North Elba....
, Lake Flower
Lake Flower
Lake Flower is a lake in Franklin County and Essex County in the Adirondacks; it was created by damming the Saranac River in 1827. It was originally called Newell's Pond, but was later named for New York governor Roswell P. Flower. It is the only lake within the village of Saranac Lake. The...
, Franklin Falls Pond
Franklin Falls Pond
Franklin Falls Pond is a , long pond created by damming the Saranac River three miles northeast of Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York State, USA.-History:...
and Union Falls Pond, and flows through the village of Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake, New York
Saranac Lake is a village located in the state of New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,406. The village is named after Upper, Middle, and Lower Saranac Lakes, which are nearby....
; there are lock
Lock (water transport)
A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber in which the water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is...
s between Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes, and between Lower and Oseetah, although the drop is only a few feet. Thirty-three miles further northeast, the river flows through the village of Saranac
Saranac, New York
Saranac is a town in Clinton County, New York, United States. The town is on the western border of the county, west of the City of Plattsburgh and is within the Adirondack Park. The population was 4,007 at the 2010 census. The town is named for the Saranac River that flows past the town.- History...
, before winding through Plattsburgh, reaching Lake Champlain after a further 23 miles.