West Branch Ausable River
About
Through the Adirondack Park's most accessible valley, the West Branch Ausable runs 32 miles from Lake Placid to Au Sable Forks at 380 CFS average flow. The Two-Mile and Flume sections hold catch-and-release designations under New York's Trophy Trout Water program, established in the 2000s to protect the wild populations that thrive in these cold Adirondack waters. Below Whiteface Mountain, the Flume section cuts through a dramatic granite gorge that offers some of the most technical water on the system. At optimal flows of 150–800 CFS, the river shifts from Class I pools to Class III drops depending on the section and gauge reading at 04275500. The Wilmington Notch and Two-Mile reach represents the trophy water that draws serious trout anglers, while the upper stretch from Lake Placid to Wilmington runs through mixed wild and stocked water. The Hungry Trout Resort operates guided trips on the system, and the lower West Branch opens up to larger water as it approaches Au Sable Forks in Essex County.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.