Background:
The Mohawk River begins in Oneida County
where the East and West branches meet and flows
about 140 miles south where it meets the Hudson
River in Waterford, just north of Troy. The Mohawk
is the largest tributary of the Hudson River.
A section of the Erie Canal, from Rome to the
river's mouth, runs parallel to the river but
has been abandonded and has been replaced by the
river itself, which has been straightened and
deepened to allow the passage of commercial ships.
The river, and the supporting New York Barge Canal
system, basically connects New York Harbor to
the Great Lakes, which, during the nineteenth
century, cut down on shipping costs to Lake Erie
by 95 percent. Presently, the river is used mostly
by pleasure boaters, since it allows boats to
pass from Canada, down to New York, where they
can access the Atlantic. This website focuses
on the section of the river from Troy, up through
Waterfors, Cohoes, Clifton Park, Schenectady,
and the Amsterdam area.
Local Knowledge:
As you can see from the Mohawk
River Marina page , there are several marinas
and clubs in the area, which are home to a wide
variety of boats and boaters. You will find everything
from runabouts to fishing boats to large trawlers
and cruisers whos owners may summer upstate and
cruise down to Florida for the Winter. Sections
of the river is great for wakeboarding and skiing.
Drop the boat in for a few hours in the late afternoon
or early morning, and the water is like glass
with noone in sight.
Jumping Jacks drive-in eatery in Scotia is a great
place for food, and is home to the U.S. Water
Ski Show Team, which has open practices daily
and does a free show every Tuesday night (and
fireworks on the 4th of July). Follow the link
below for more information. If new to river
boating, keep in mind that there is a current,
and the strength of the current varies depending
on where you are on the river, as well as water
levels. In the early Spring, or following heavy
rains, there is a potential for an increase in
debris. Boaters should always be mindful of partially
submerged logs and other hazards, as well as keeping
a safe distance from dams.
Useful Resources:
Mohawk
River Marinas and Yacht Clubs
New
York State's Canal Guide
U.S.
Water Ski Team at Jumping Jacks
New York State Canal Corporation - 1-800-4CANAL4
To report emergencies on the canal - 1-800-635-8856
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