Niagara Mohawk maintains carry routes between reservoirs, as well as picnic areas, boat ramps, beaches and campgrounds. Below these reservoirs, travel on the river continues with a series of small reservoirs at Hannawa, Potsdam, Norwood and Norfolk. The 17 mile stretch from Piercefield to Carry Falls Reservoir offers the Raquette's most exciting whitewater. Starting at the dam near Piercefield, the river winds north, through a series of rapids and over two waterfalls. State land borders most of this area and carry trails skirt some of the harder sections.
Water level is critical and it can fluctuate due to dam releases.
This is is a 16.4 mile round trip paddle, first down, then upstream The first 1.2 miles, which consist of Class IV rapids can be avoided by carrying one mile on the roadbed of the old Grasse River Railroad along the right bank. The rest of this scenic corridor is a flatwater cruise. Wildlife sightings may be frequent in this remote area. This spectacular stretch of the Grass accommodates a range of paddling skills. The first 4. 5 miles is winding flatwater, then, at the 40-foot Lampson Falls, the river abruptly changes.