Oswegatchie River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oswegatchie River |
|
|---|---|
Oswegatchie River access on Inlet Road
|
|
 
Location of the mouth
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| Region | Adirondack Mountains |
| Counties | St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Herkimer, Hamilton |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 44°01′13″N 74°49′26″W / 44.0203396°N 74.8237923°W |
| River mouth | Saint Lawrence River Ogdensburg 243 ft (74 m) 44°41′45″N 75°29′51″W / 44.6958958°N 75.4974483°W |
| Length | 137 mi (220 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,592 sq mi (4,120 km2) |
| Tributaries | |
The Oswegatchie River is a long river in northern New York State. It stretches about 137 miles (220 km). This river starts in the Adirondack Mountains. It then flows north until it reaches the Saint Lawrence River. The Oswegatchie River begins at Partlow Lake in Hamilton County. It also flows through Cranberry Lake. This lake was made much bigger by a dam in the late 1860s. The river continues through Gouverneur to St. Lawrence County. Here, it joins the West Branch. Much of the river is inside Adirondack State Park. The city of Ogdensburg grew where the Oswegatchie meets the Saint Lawrence River.
Contents
Discover the River's Past
The mouth of the Oswegatchie River was once a very important place. In 1749, a Jesuit mission and fur trading post called Fort de La Présentation was built here. By the 1750s, about 3,000 Onondaga people lived in the village. Many of them became Catholic. These people became known as the Oswegatchie. They were seen as a bit different from the traditional Six Nations of the Iroquois.
The name Oswegatchie might come from an Iroquois language. It could mean "going or coming around a hill." Another idea is that it comes from the Onondaga word /oshewɛ'gaaji'/, meaning "black lumber." The British thought the Oswegatchie were one of the Seven Nations of Canada.
Explore the River's Branches
The Oswegatchie River has a main part and two important branches. These are the West Branch and the Middle Branch. Many smaller streams also flow into the river. All the branches start in the Five Ponds Wilderness area. The East Branch Oswegatchie begins at Partlow Lake. One of its smaller parts, the Robinson River, starts at Crooked Lake.
The Middle Branch begins at Willy's and Walker lakes. The West Branch Oswegatchie starts at Buck and Hog ponds. Other important streams, like the Indian River (through Black Lake), join the river from the west.
Middle Branch Oswegatchie
The Middle Branch Oswegatchie River mostly has shallow and fast-moving water. There are only a few slow parts where canoes can easily go. These include Alder Bed Flow and Moynehan Flow. Sometimes, experienced kayakers use this branch when the water is high. This part of the river is very remote, so it is not used often. The main fish found here are brook trout. You can also find chubs and bullheads.
West Branch Oswegatchie
The West Branch Oswegatchie River moves slower than the Middle Branch. It has calm areas like Long Pond and Mud Pond. But these calm spots are separated by rapids and waterfalls that are hard to get through. The very upper parts of this branch are small, narrow streams. They are not good for canoeing because of fallen logs.
During the Great Depression, New York State bought fishing rights for the public here. This means people can still fish along most of the river. Brook trout are the main fish. You can also find shiners, sunfish, suckers, chubs, minnows, and bullheads.
Where the Branches Meet
The Middle Branch Oswegatchie River joins the West Branch Oswegatchie River near Harrisville in Lewis County. From there, the river continues as the West Branch Oswegatchie River. It then meets the main Oswegatchie River near Talcville. From that point, it is simply called "the Oswegatchie." It flows north to the St. Lawrence River near Ogdensburg, New York.
The last major stream to join the system is from the Indian River after Black Lake. The lower part of the main river, between Gouverneur and Ogdensburg, moves slowly. It has some rapids that experienced canoeists can handle. Important fish here include smallmouth bass, northern pike, musky, channel catfish, walleyes, red-finned mullet, and common carp.
River Tributaries
Many smaller streams flow into the Oswegatchie River. These are called tributaries.
Right Side Tributaries
- Glasby Creek
- Skate Creek
- Tooley Pond Outlet
- Welch Creek
- Stammer Creek
- Robinson Creek
- White Creek
- Indian Creek
- Anderson Creek
- Lisbon Creek
Left Side Tributaries
- Robinson River
- Wolf Pond Outlet
- Buck Brook
- Peavine Creek
- Thomas Brook
- Little River
- West Branch Oswegatchie River
- Turnpike Creek
- Matoon Creek
- Malterna Creek
- Vrooman Creek
- Bonney Creek
- Beaver Creek
- Black Lake
The middle part of the Oswegatchie River is great for experienced canoeists. This includes the East Branch Oswegatchie between Gouverneur and Cranberry Lake. However, a two-mile section from southern Cranberry Lake to Inlet cannot be navigated by boat.
From Inlet, the upper Oswegatchie is one of the wildest rivers you can canoe in the Adirondacks. This area has a rich history, from logging days to today. The upper river lets you reach some of the most remote parts of Adirondack Park. Near the southern edge of St. Lawrence County, the river flows over High Falls on the Oswegatchie River.
There is a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) portage (a place where you carry your canoe) at the old "Beaverdam." From here, canoeists can hike to continue paddling at Lows Lake and the Bog River. All these places are located in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area.
Images for kids
-
The upper Oswegatchie River near High Rock, in December.
-
The Oswegatchie River in August 2008.
-
Rapids near site 28.
-
Oswegatchie water is tannin-stained, meaning it looks dark like tea.
