Raquette River

Raquette River - at the Sweeney Carry. 1888,
S R Stoddard.

The Raquette River, sometimes spelled Racquette, originates at Raquette Lake in the Adirondack Mountains in New York. 146 miles (235 km) long,^[1] it is the third longest river entirely in the state of New York.

The river is a popular destination for canoeing and kayaking. It passes through many natural and man-made lakes to its final destination at Akwesasne on the Saint Lawrence River. The river is the source of 27 hydroelectric plants operated by Brookfield Power, which at capacity can produce up to 181 megawatts of power.^[2]

Historically, the river was a part of the "Highway of the Adirondacks", by which it was possible to travel hundreds of miles by canoe or guideboat with short stretches of portage connecting various waterways. This route is still followed by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, a 740-mile (1,190 km) canoe trail from Old Forge to Fort Kent in Maine. It is also the basis of the route of the Adirondack Canoe Classic, a three-day, 90-mile canoe race from Old Forge to Saranac Lake.

Communities along the Raquette River (South to North)^[3]

• Long Lake in Hamilton County
• Tupper Lake in Franklin County
• Colton in St. Lawrence County
• Hannawa Falls in St. Lawrence County
• Potsdam in St. Lawrence County
• Norwood in St. Lawrence County
• Norfolk in St. Lawrence County
• Massena in St. Lawrence County
• Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne (or St. Regis Mohawk Reservation) in Franklin County

The Raquette River, in Colton, New York.

See also

• List of New York rivers

References

1. "The National Map". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved Feb 11, 2011.
2. Brookfield Power St. Lawrence Region Operations
3. Raquette River Corridor Project

Coordinates: 44°50′07″N 74°58′47″W / 44.8352°N 74.9797°W