| County: |
Lewis |
| Town: |
Croghan |
| USGS Map: |
Stillwater |
| Waterway: |
Oswegatchie River,
West Branch |
| Latitude: |
43o 58'
53.72" |
| Longitude: |
75o 14'
25.89" |
| Drop: |
NA |
|
Retired DEC engineer Darrell Sweredoski had guided us in to a set
of falls in this area. While we were there, a gentleman was
operating his tractor and pulling a trailer with a young man on
it. He told us about another set of falls about a half mile
upstream. We made the hike up a fairly easy and well marked
trail to an area that he called Iowa Falls. This trail
includes a fairly long wooden walkway across a swamp. When
you reach the falls, there is a bridge which gives you
access to the other side of the channel. Please note that
two other close friends who grew up in that area have informed us
that it is also known as Iona Falls.
Iowa Falls drops in the river at this point and goes around an
island. The falls in the main channel is a very pretty site.
At low water in early September, after crossing the bridge, we
were able to make our way across to the island. A short hike
across this brought us to the back side of the island where we
found a natural waterslide in the channel that went around the
back of the island. There was also a trail from the bridge
to this location on the mainland side.
Just north of the Beaver River in Belfort, head east on the
Long Pond Road. After a few miles, you will cross the
"Blue Line" which means you are in the Adirondack Forest
Preserve. In a short distance you will cross the river and
there is a parking area on the left. This is a fishing
access site right next to Grunerts
Falls. Follow the trail heading downstream on the
same side of the river and you will find Iowa Falls.
The West Branch of the Oswegatchie River flows into the main
branch just downstream of the hamlet of Talcville in the town of
Edwards, St. Lawrence County. From here, it is downstream
through Gouverneur to the St. Lawrence River in Ogdensburg, New
York.
Webmaster's note: In mid-August 2011, we were notified
that this area is now posted. We are researching this and
will post that information when it becomes available.
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