See all 2 routes on Salmon River
New York | Oswego County
Salmon RiverAltmar County Route 52 / Lower Fly launch to Pineville County Route 48 drift-boat launch
A 3.5-mile Class II Salmon River tailwater route from the DEC Lower Fly / Altmar access to the DEC Pineville drift-boat launch. The corridor adds a distinct Lake Ontario tributary with direct Pineville telemetry, reservoir-release guidance, official access mapping, and an explicit cold-water and downstream-river-use posture.
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A 3.5-mile Class II Salmon River tailwater route from the DEC Lower Fly / Altmar access to the DEC Pineville drift-boat launch. The corridor adds a distinct Lake Ontario tributary with direct Pineville telemetry, reservoir-release guidance, official access mapping, and an explicit cold-water and downstream-river-use posture.
Access map
Put-in
Altmar Lower Fly / County Route 52 launchNYSDEC identifies both Altmar and Pineville as drift-boat launch areas, but the Altmar launch is subject to chronic gravel deposition and periodic maintenance. Confirm current access before departure.
Take-out
Pineville County Route 48 drift-boat launchFishing access and launch access overlap heavily on this corridor. Follow posted parking, seasonal regulation, crowding, and river-entry instructions; a public fishing easement is not blanket camping or unrestricted bank access.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- NYSDEC identifies both Altmar and Pineville as drift-boat launch areas, but the Altmar launch is subject to chronic gravel deposition and periodic maintenance. Confirm current access before departure.
- Fishing access and launch access overlap heavily on this corridor. Follow posted parking, seasonal regulation, crowding, and river-entry instructions; a public fishing easement is not blanket camping or unrestricted bank access.
- The route ends at Pineville. The downstream Salmon River has additional public access toward Pulaski and Port Ontario, but that is a separate route family requiring separate flow, safety, and take-out review.
Watch for
- USGS 04250200 below 150 cfs, above 1,200 cfs, rising quickly, unavailable, or inconsistent with the release schedule and launch visual
- Lighthouse Hill release changes, cold water, whitewater, strainers, bridge approaches, gravel deposition, and fishing/boater congestion
- posted fly-fishing or seasonal restrictions, limited bailout options, downstream continuation beyond Pineville, and daylight loss
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Salmon River at Pineville, NY. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Salmon River at Pineville, NY |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 150 cfs to 1,200 cfs |
| Low threshold | 150 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,200 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | CanWePaddle Altmar to Pineville estimated runnable range: 150–1,200 cfs |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
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 New York corridorAltmar to Pineville; 3.5 miles; Class II
CanWePaddle publishes the named reach, mileage, Class II character, season, endpoint areas, reservoir-release context, direct gauge, and conservative flow band.
- Public water accessDEC Lower Fly / Altmar launch and DEC Pineville Route 48 drift-boat launch
NYSDEC identifies both endpoint launch areas and the Lower Salmon River plan describes the Altmar launch position and maintenance caveat.
- Direct flow and release guidance150–1,200 cfs estimated runnable range at USGS 04250200, subject to Lighthouse Hill releases
CanWePaddle links the direct Pineville gauge; the route remains release-controlled and the numeric range is conservative and informational, not a go/no-go authority.
- Launch maintenance and safetyAltmar gravel deposition, drift-boat access, public fishing pressure, and seasonal restrictions
NYSDEC’s Lower Salmon River plan documents the access infrastructure, gravel-deposition issue, and release/fishery context that must be checked before launch.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 04250200, Salmon River at Pineville, NY
USGS provides continuous stage and discharge telemetry for the route corridor.
- Safety and river conditionsCheck live gauge, recent rainfall, trend, debris, bridges, and access conditions before launch
CanWePaddle / NYSDEC Lower Salmon River public access sources and its linked safety material warn that conditions change rapidly and require local inspection.
- Image decisionApproved same-river context image used for route presentation
The image is labeled as river-level context when it depicts the named river elsewhere, not this exact reach.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- CanWePaddle / NYSDEC Lower Salmon River public access sources route record
- NYSDEC Salmon River access map and Lower Salmon River recreation plan
- CanWePaddle Altmar to Pineville conditions
- NYSDEC Salmon River access, release, and fishing-regulation guidance
- USGS 04250200 monitoring location
- USGS 04250200 current conditions
- Salmon River context image
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Reports
Paddler reports
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Quick answers
Salmon River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Altmar County Route 52 / Lower Fly launch to Pineville County Route 48 drift-boat launch route on the Salmon River?
Paddle Today watches Salmon River at Pineville, NY and treats 150 cfs to 1,200 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Altmar County Route 52 / Lower Fly launch to Pineville County Route 48 drift-boat launch route on the Salmon River start and end?
This route starts at Altmar Lower Fly / County Route 52 launch and ends at Pineville County Route 48 drift-boat launch, 3.5 river miles on the water.
Is the Altmar County Route 52 / Lower Fly launch to Pineville County Route 48 drift-boat launch route on the Salmon River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
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