...to other sites with information on Cohoes Falls - Live photo of Cohoes Falls (updated as often as 3x daily) - Actual Mohawk River water discharge levels for the last week, or the last 100 years - Photo Album by Matthew Cole |
A favorite vantage point is from the bluff above the Falls on the Waterford side. Park in the church parking lot at the intersection of Grace and Vanderwerken Streets; walk up Grace Street and turn left on Columbus Avenue. Continue south from the end of Columbus Avenue on a foot path over a rise to a ridge crest trail. Please use caution: when the Falls are flowing well these trails are muddy, slippery and wet. Appropriate footware is important for your own safety. It's important to remember that this drop in the River's elevation provides one of the major sources of hydroelectric power for the Capital District. As such the flow over the Falls at low flow is subject to electric demand. Check out USGS guaging data and NOAA predictions. My rule of thumb is if the River stage is above 10 feet then there will be a picturesque flow of water over the falls. At a stage of 15 feet the Falls become a thundering, impressive site. At flood stage of 20 feet it's an awesome, must see spectical! |
Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway |
Cohoes Falls |
Before the Erie Canal was completed in 1825 a major tourist destination for European travelers was Cohoes Falls. Once the Canal opened Niagara Falls became the popular destination. Today the Cohoes Falls is one of the key destinations on the Mohawk Towpath Byway. Two vantage points are accessible from the Byway. The first is from a small park at the foot of Mohawk Street. Look for a unmarked paved driveway on the north side of the intersection of Remsen and Mohawk Streets. You will see the Falls as seen to the right behind Harmony Mills. To get up close and personal stop in at the School Street overlook just up Mohawk Street. |
The Falls at a river stage of less than 10 feet. |
A favorite vantage point is from the bluff above the Falls on the Waterford side. Park in the church parking lot at the intersection of Grace and Vanderwerken Streets; walk up Grace Street and turn left on Columbus Avenue. Continue south from the end of Columbus Avenue on a foot path over a rise to a ridge crest trail. Please use caution: when the Falls are flowing well these trails are muddy, slippery and wet. Appropriate footware is important for your own safety. It's important to remember that this drop in the River's elevation provides one of the major sources of hydroelectric power for the Capital District. As such the flow over the Falls at low flow is subject to electric demand. Check out USGS guaging data and NOAA predictions. My rule of thumb is if the River stage is above 10 feet then there will be a picturesque flow of water over the falls. At a stage of 15 feet the Falls become a thundering, impressive site. At flood stage of 20 feet it's an awesome, must see spectical! |
The Falls at a river stage of 14 feet. |
Links |
...to other sites with information on Cohoes Falls - Live photo of Cohoes Falls (updated as often as 3x daily) - Actual Mohawk River water discharge levels for the last week, or the last 100 years - Photo Album by Matthew Cole |
