What water level is good for paddling Salmon River — Altmar to Pineville?

This section is generally runnable at 150–1,200 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.

How do I check Salmon River levels?

We read USGS gauge 04250200 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.

Is Salmon River — Altmar to Pineville good for beginners?

This section is rated Class II. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.

When is the best time to paddle Salmon River here?

Typically Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.

How long does it take to float Salmon River — Altmar to Pineville?

This reach is about 3.5 miles, roughly 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Salmon River — Altmar to Pineville: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II3.5 mi · ~2 hrSalmon RiverNew York

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 5:15 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

244 cfs

5.4 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 04250200

Runnable 150 – 1,200 cfs

01501,2001,410

What this means today

At 244 cfs the Salmon River is inside the runnable range but only 94 cfs above the 150 cfs floor, so it is sitting at the shallow end of what this reach runs at. A dry few days would take it under.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 256 cfs to 244 cfs. Daily means over the past 6 days have run between 231 cfs and 279 cfs, 19% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Altmar to Pineville

Salmon River at Altmar to Pineville is a 3.5-mile Class II run in New York — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Altmar (Rt 22 access) and take out at Pineville access, a trip that runs about 2 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 150–1,200 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Salmon River gets low and bony, so you end up scraping gravel and walking the shallows; well above the top of the range it turns fast, cold and pushy, which is a more serious day than most casual boaters want. We read USGS gauge 04250200 about every 30 minutes and compare the live number to that window, so the verdict at the top of this page reflects conditions right now rather than a monthly average.

Flows here are usually most dependable Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt, and late summer often drops too low to float well — but the gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you go.

7-day flow trend

Daily mean flow (cfs), past 7 days. Shaded band = runnable range.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class II
Length: 3.5 mi
Float time: ~2 hr
Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Put-in: Altmar (Rt 22 access)
Take-out: Pineville access

Reading USGS gauge 04250200 — SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Salmon River — Altmar to Pineville?: This section is generally runnable at 150–1,200 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.
How do I check Salmon River levels?: We read USGS gauge 04250200 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.
Is Salmon River — Altmar to Pineville good for beginners?: This section is rated Class II. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.
When is the best time to paddle Salmon River here?: Typically Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.
How long does it take to float Salmon River — Altmar to Pineville?: This reach is about 3.5 miles, roughly 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 1,590 cfs