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New York | Herkimer and Lewis Counties / Adirondack Park

Beaver RiverMoshier Falls Powerhouse to High Falls Pond / Old State Road access

A planning-only approximately 14-mile Beaver River Canoe Route from the Moshier Falls powerhouse put-in through a series of regulated reservoirs and channels to the High Falls Pond access near Old State Road. NYSDEC lists numerous canoe/kayak launch sites across this route, the Adirondack Region identifies the Moshier-to-High-Falls corridor, and the route guide documents six portages, primitive island campsites, a formal Soft Maple campground, and no need for whitewater skills on the main route.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 14 route miles through the Beaver River reservoir and channel sequence
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeTwo days for most canoe parties
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Beaver River at the USGS Croghan monitoring station in New York, used as regulated same-river context for the Moshier-to-High-Falls canoe route.
Route photoBeaver River at Croghan; Moshier-to-High-Falls canoe route contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey

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Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 14 route miles through the Beaver River reservoir and channel sequenceMoshier Falls Powerhouse to High Falls Pond / Old State Road access
DifficultymoderateThe main route is primarily flatwater and does not require whitewater skills, but six portages, hydropower dams/intakes, remote carries, cold water, wind on open reservoirs, loaded-boat logistics, and limited evacuation access make it a serious multi-day trip.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at the confirmed High Falls Pond Old State Road access, then drive the shuttle boat and gear to the Moshier powerhouse/trailhead. Build in time for sign-in, the initial quarter-mile parking carry, six portages, reservoir wind, and a daylight reserve.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm current NYSDEC launch and boating rules, hydropower operator access/portage notices, designated campsite availability and fees, fire and food-storage rules, New York PFD requirements, and any current road, hunting, or seasonal closures. No unrestricted at-large riverbank camping is claimed.
CampingOptions nearbyThe route guide documents primitive island campsites on Soft Maple and High Falls reservoirs plus a formal campground with restrooms and showers on Soft Maple. Reserve or verify the formal site, use only marked/designated campsites, and do not treat any shoreline as legal camping.
SeasonMay-OctThe route is seasonal and regulated by multiple hydroelectric reservoirs. Plan for warm-weather daylight, changing reservoir levels, cold water, wind on open impoundments, remote portage trails, and current access or campsite conditions.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A planning-only approximately 14-mile Beaver River Canoe Route from the Moshier Falls powerhouse put-in through a series of regulated reservoirs and channels to the High Falls Pond access near Old State Road. NYSDEC lists numerous canoe/kayak launch sites across this route, the Adirondack Region identifies the Moshier-to-High-Falls corridor, and the route guide documents six portages, primitive island campsites, a formal Soft Maple campground, and no need for whitewater skills on the main route.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Moshier Falls powerhouse downstream put-in
Open mapDirections to put-in

NYSDEC confirms the route-wide canoe/kayak launch network, while the detailed route guide supplies the Moshier powerhouse and High Falls Pond shuttle points. Both endpoints remain access-area anchors requiring current operator/DEC confirmation.

Finish

Take-out

High Falls Pond Old State Road carry access
Open mapDirections to take-out

The stored High Falls coordinate follows the Old State Road north-shore carry area rather than a surveyed dock. Confirm exact water entry, parking, road condition, and the dam boundary before relying on it as a take-out.

Road shuttle

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Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • NYSDEC confirms the route-wide canoe/kayak launch network, while the detailed route guide supplies the Moshier powerhouse and High Falls Pond shuttle points. Both endpoints remain access-area anchors requiring current operator/DEC confirmation.
  • The stored High Falls coordinate follows the Old State Road north-shore carry area rather than a surveyed dock. Confirm exact water entry, parking, road condition, and the dam boundary before relying on it as a take-out.
  • The route includes regulated reservoirs and hydropower facilities. Public launch or portage access does not authorize entry into powerhouse grounds, intakes, bypassed reaches, or private shoreline.
  • Distance excludes repeated portage carries and may vary with reservoir operations, channel routing, and campsite or take-out choice.

Watch for

  • USGS 04258000 unavailable or inconsistent with current operator/reservoir information and local water levels
  • hydropower dams, intakes, safety cables, bypassed reaches, cold water, wind waves, shallow channels, strainers, and remote portage conditions
  • Moshier parking/carry, High Falls Old State Road access, route signs, campsite availability, road gates, daylight, and weather

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Beaver River at the USGS Croghan monitoring station in New York, used as regulated same-river context for the Moshier-to-High-Falls canoe route.
Beaver River at Croghan; Moshier-to-High-Falls canoe route contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey
USGS public-domain station image; downstream regulated context

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named canoe routeMoshier Reservoir to High Falls Reservoir / Black River; approximately 14 miles

    The Adirondack Region identifies the Beaver River Canoe Route and its Moshier-to-High-Falls setting; the route guide supplies distance and multi-day planning context.

    Source

  • Current public launch networkNYSDEC lists numerous canoe/kayak launch sites from High Falls Reservoir to Moshier Reservoir

    The state launch directory confirms this is a designated route-wide canoe/kayak access network rather than an improvised roadside float.

    Source

  • Portage and camping guidanceSix portages; primitive Soft Maple/High Falls campsites; formal Soft Maple campground

    The route guide documents the portage count, reservoir sequence, campsite posture, and Moshier/High Falls shuttle logistics.

    Source

  • Regulated live gaugeUSGS 04258000 Beaver River at Croghan

    The station is same-river but downstream and regulated by Stillwater Reservoir and powerplant ponds; use it as proxy flow context only.

    Source

  • Camping postureDesignated route campsites and formal Soft Maple campground; no unrestricted bank camping claim

    Use only marked/designated sites and verify current availability and rules before departure.

    Source

  • Approved route imageUSGS Beaver River station photograph used as clearly labeled same-river context

    The public-domain image does not certify current reservoir levels, portages, campsites, hydropower access, or a runnable line.

    Source

  • Same-river proxy gaugeUSGS 04258000, Beaver River at Croghan, NY

    USGS 04258000 at Croghan is downstream of the route and records a Beaver River whose flow is regulated by Stillwater Reservoir and several powerplant ponds. Use it with current operator information, reservoir levels, wind, weather, and local inspection; it cannot certify any portage, campsite, or bypassed reach.

    Source

  • Safety and river conditionsCheck live gauge, recent rainfall, trend, debris, bridges, and access conditions before launch

    NYSDEC Lewis County launch directory / Adirondack Region / Beaver River Canoe Route guide and its linked safety material warn that conditions change rapidly and require local inspection.

    Source

  • Image decisionApproved watershed/proxy-gauge context image used for route presentation

    The image is clearly labeled as watershed/proxy-gauge context and does not claim to depict this exact reach.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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Quick answers

Beaver River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Moshier Falls Powerhouse to High Falls Pond / Old State Road access route on the Beaver River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Moshier Falls Powerhouse to High Falls Pond / Old State Road access route on the Beaver River start and end?

This route starts at Moshier Falls powerhouse downstream put-in and ends at High Falls Pond Old State Road carry access, about 14 route miles through the Beaver River reservoir and channel sequence on the water.

Is the Moshier Falls Powerhouse to High Falls Pond / Old State Road access route on the Beaver River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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