| County: |
Lewis |
| Town: |
Croghan |
| USGS Map: |
Remington
Corners |
| Waterway: |
Oswegatchie
River West Branch |
| Latitude: |
N
44.00283o |
| Longitude: |
W
75.26719o
|
| Drop: |
~20' |
|
This location is not indicated on USGS topographical maps.
It would be more accurate to describe this as a stretch of rapids,
but it is known locally as Shingle Mill Falls. In the late
1800s, a shingle mill, operated by partners Louis V. Bisha and
Joseph Yancey, stood at this location. We refer to falls of
this type as slide falls, because they somewhat resemble a natural
waterslide. In these types of falls, there is a
considerable vertical drop, but it occurs over a significant
horizontal run. It also should be noted that there is
another Shingle Mill Falls in Lewis County. This second
falls of the same name is located in the town of Greig in the
southeastern corner of the county.
To access this site, take the Belfort Road from the village of
Croghan to the hamlet of Belfort. Then follow the Long Pond
Road and turn left when you come to the Bisha Road. Go to the
end of this road and you will find a parking lot with a NYS DEC
sign noting that it is the West Branch Oswegatchie Fishing Access
Site, lot 11960.
Note that the area you will be hiking is private land and
posted, but it is a Conservation Easement Public Recreation
Area. Public access is allowed along the river. Go
past the gate past the parking lot into an area known as Long
Level and bear left. Follow the
yellow Public Fishing Foot Path signs that mark the trail.
At about 0.7 of a mile down the trail you will come to Shingle
Mill Falls. There used to be a bridge across the river at
this point but it washed away in high water a number of years ago
and budgetary constraints have prevented its replacement.
At this point, you are less than a quarter mile from High
Falls, a very impressive 50' plunge downstream.
The West Branch of the Oswegatchie joins the main channel a few
miles downstream, just west of the hamlet of Talcville in the town
of Edwards. This then flows to the St. Lawrence River in
Ogdensburg.
|
