South Branch Moose River

Last updated
South Branch Moose River
River
Country United States
State New York
Tributaries
 - left Indian River
 - right Nicks Creek
Source Little Moose Lake
Mouth Moose River
 - location McKeever, New York
 - elevation 1,577 [1]  ft (481 m)
 - coordinates 43°38′37″N74°57′14″W / 43.64361°N 74.95389°W / 43.64361; -74.95389 Coordinates: 43°38′37″N74°57′14″W / 43.64361°N 74.95389°W / 43.64361; -74.95389
Basin 179 sq mi (464 km2)

The South Branch Moose River is a river located in Herkimer County, New York. The river starts at Little Moose Lake. South of Old Forge, New York the South Branch and Middle Branch join to become Moose River. Limekiln Falls is located on the South Branch Moose River. [2]

Herkimer County, New York county in New York, United States

Herkimer County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,519. Its county seat is Herkimer. The county was created in 1791 north of the Mohawk River out of part of Montgomery County. It is named after General Nicholas Herkimer, who died from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part in the Battle of Oriskany during the Revolutionary War.

Old Forge, New York Hamlet and CDP in New York, United States

Old Forge is a hamlet on New York State Route 28 in the town of Webb in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 756 at the 2010 census. Old Forge was formerly a village but dissolved its incorporation in 1936, but it remains the principal community in the region. As one of the western gateway communities of the Adirondack Park, Old Forge forms an extensive business district, primarily directed at tourism especially during the summer months. The local school is the Town of Webb UFSD, a K-12 institution with the Eskimo as their mascot. Old Forge often records the lowest winter temperatures in New York. On February 17, 1979, the record low temperature for New York was set in Old Forge at −52 °F (−47 °C).

Middle Branch Moose River river in the United States of America

Middle Branch Moose River starts in Old Forge, New York at the outlet of First Lake and flows into the Moose River in Mckeever, New York.

Contents

History

On June 15, 1991 five kayakers descended the river from its source and through the private, posted property of the Adirondack League Club. The journey was to test the laws regarding the rights of the public to paddle on water that flows over private property. The League Club was given advance notice, and the trip was taped by both groups as evidence. As expected the League Club promptly sued the paddlers, and the Sierra Club for five million dollars. The case Adirondack League Club vs. Sierra Club established that recreational use can be considered in determining if a river is a public highway. The case was settled in 2000 before it was determined if the river was a public highway. The settlement allows public access at certain times of the year and under certain conditions. [3]

Adirondack League Club

The Adirondack League Club is an organization that owns a large piece of wilderness land in the New York State Adirondack Park. The club was founded in the 1890s as a club for hunting and fishing. The club was involved in a protracted legal dispute with the Sierra Club over the right of public access to streams and other waterways.. The Adirondack League Club is known for its socially and politically influential members, including gilded era industrialists and several past Presidents of the United States.

Adirondack League Club vs. Sierra Club was a court case decided on December 17, 1998, by New York's highest court, the New York Court of Appeals, denying the defendants' motions for summary judgment that the South Branch of the Moose River flowing through Adirondack League Club property was a public highway, but holding that recreational use can be considered in determining if a river is a public highway. The case was sent back to the trial court for additional review. However, the case was settled before there was a final court determination as to whether the river was a public highway. The settlement, which can be found under Appendix 12 of the Moose River Plains Wild Forest Unit Management Plan, allows the public to use the river at certain times of the year and under certain conditions.

Tributaries

Right

Butter Brook
Silver Run
Pine Grove Creek
Red River
Lost Brook
Deadmans Gulch
Pico Creek
Limekiln Creek
Little Moose Outlet
Nicks Creek


Left

Otter Brook
Indian River
Canachagala Brook
Otter Brook
Combs Brook

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