Moose River (New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moose River |
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North Branch Moose River in 1973
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Middle Branch Moose River, South Branch Moose River McKeever, New York |
| River mouth | Black River Lyons Falls, New York 849 ft (259 m) 43°36′47″N 75°20′12″W / 43.61306°N 75.33667°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 429 sq mi (1,110 km2) |
The Moose River is a cool mountain river in Upstate New York. It's made up of three main parts, called branches: the North Branch, the Middle Branch, and the South Branch.
The North Branch starts from Big Moose Lake in northern Herkimer County. The Middle Branch begins at the Fulton Chain Lakes near Old Forge. And the South Branch comes from Little Moose Lake in Hamilton County. The North and Middle branches meet in Old Forge, New York. A few miles later, they join the South Branch. From there, it's just called the Moose River. It flows west through Herkimer County into Lewis County. Finally, it meets the Black River in Lyons Falls.
Contents
River Adventures: Whitewater Fun
The Moose River is a super popular spot for whitewater rafting, kayaking, and canoeing. This is because it drops quickly from the mountains, creating fast-moving water. There are three exciting whitewater sections below McKeever, each with different difficulty levels.
Middle Moose: A Good Start
The Middle Moose section is great for those with some experience. It's known as a Class II-III river. This means it has easy to medium rapids. You can find this part of the river from the measuring station in McKeever down to Rock Island.
Lower Moose: For the Thrill-Seekers
The Lower Moose is a more challenging section, rated Class III-V. This means it has strong rapids and requires more skill. Commercial rafting companies often use this section in early spring. It includes famous drops like Tannery, Froth Hole, Mixmaster, and Miller's Falls.
Bottom Moose: Expert Level Rapids
The Bottom Moose is for expert paddlers only, rated Class V+. This section starts from Fowlerville. It's a favorite for those who love very difficult whitewater. This part of the river has several waterfalls. Some are straightforward, but others are quite difficult and can be dangerous.
Paddling Season
Every spring and fall, hundreds of whitewater paddlers visit the Moose River. They come from all over the U.S. and eastern Canada. They come to enjoy the exciting rapids and beautiful scenery.
Power from the River
Because the Moose River drops so much in elevation, its fast-flowing water is also used to create electricity. There are several hydropower projects along the river's path. These projects use the river's energy to power homes and businesses.
