PADDLING

Franklin & Union Falls Ponds

Aesthetic day-paddles offer pleasing scenery and a chance to escape

by Rich MacDonald

The Saranac River offers numerous kayaking and canoeing opportunities. Two of particular note are Franklin Falls Pond and Union Falls Pond — both are dammed sections of the Saranac River. A mere 15-mile drive northeast of Saranac Lake, they both offer aesthetic flatwater day-paddles away from more mainstream paddle destinations.

The Saranac River flows northeast from the village of Saranac Lake, winding its way north toward Plattsburgh and Lake Champlain. There are a series of dams along the Saranac River; two of them create vast areas of ponded water: Franklin Falls Pond and Union Falls Pond. Franklin Falls Pond is approximately 3 miles long. Although River Road follows its north shore, it is little traveled so traffic noise is at a minimum.

There are several islands at the south end of the lake, largely surrounded by Forest Preserve. Although the rest of the lake is undeveloped, be sure to respect private property and please do not trespass.

Continue upstream (south) a little further and you enter the wildest part of Franklin Falls Pond. Paddle far enough and you will encounter the end of Permanent Rapids. The large pool that forms at the base of permanent rapids is the head of the lake. This also is an ideal picnic area, but be prepared to share it with the locals as it is a popular hangout.

The water draining into Franklin Falls Pond, and eventually into Union Falls Pond, is dark brown with tannin, typical of the waters of much of the Adirondacks. These ponds are downstream of the village of Saranac Lake, which also means they are downstream of that villages sewerage treatment facilities. The effluent is treated to meet drinking water standards. Although this is probably so, the real concern is the organism Giardia, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the most frequent cause of non-bacterial diarrhea in North America. It is a good habit to not drink unfiltered water in the Adirondacks.

Explore the various bays and inlets along the south side of Franklin Falls Pond. This is a good way to discover some of the secrets of the lake. With the waning of summer, look for the brilliant red cardinal flower, listen for the rattling call of the belted kingfisher, and if you are especially lucky, one of the Adirondack's charismatic megafauna such as black bear or moose.

A short distance downstream, Union Falls Pond offers a somewhat different experience. It is nearly twice as long as Franklin Falls Pond at approximately 6 miles end to end. Although the shore of Union Falls Pond is far more developed, it retains a wild feel because the modest cottages are concentrated on the northern shore.

Bald eagles have long nested on Union Falls Pond. During the May to August breeding season, be sure to give any bald eagles you encounter wide berth to minimize disturbing them. If you come upon an area of shoreline marked off with buoys and rope, this is delineating the nest site (please do not cross into this area). Even though bald eagles were recently downgraded from "endangered" to "threatened" on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's list of endangered and threatened wildlife and plants, they still are protected by federal law.

Continue paddling down the lake toward the dam. The beach at the end of Union Falls Pond is littered with old, gnarled stumps. These may be remnants of trees that were flooded out when the dam was first built. Whatever their origin, they present a stark landscape unlike any other in the Adirondack Park.

Both Franklin Falls Pond and Union Falls Pond are oriented southwest to northeast. This orientation aligns them with the prevailing summer winds. It is good to pay attention to weather forecasts and any wind shift. The fetch of these lakes is conducive to wave activity.

Franklin Falls Pond and Union Falls Pond are in the shadow of Whiteface Mountain. This "back" view of Whiteface is one often overlooked (and to this writer at least, is the best face of the mountain). Enjoy the scenery on these ponds — although it is a landscape long influenced by human activity, it is a relatively pristine area.

To get to Franklin Falls Pond, drive north from Saranac Lake on NY Route 3 to Bloomingdale. Turn right on River Road, known locally as Lower Franklin Falls Road. Drive until the bridge. The put-in is located on the south side of the bridge, for Franklin Falls Pond, or drive another quarter mile to a pull-off and a steep carry down a rocky bank to Union Falls Pond.

Rich MacDonald (adkrich@kvvi.net) of Keene Valley is currently paddling a sea kayak along the coast of the Gulf of Maine, a 1,000-mile journey from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia. To learn more, go to www.gomexpedition.org.

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