Port Jackson, Mile 38.5

Port Jackson is a boat access point on the Erie Canal at Mile 38.5 near Amsterdam in Montgomery County, New York. This location provides access to the Mohawk River, a large river system with a stream order of 7 and an average flow of 3455 cubic feet per second. The site is positioned along a waterway that drops 279 feet in total elevation across 166 miles, creating an average gradient of 1.7 feet per mile. Paddlers should be aware that this is an active canal and river system with moderate current conditions, averaging 2.87 feet per second.

The Mohawk River at this location serves as part of the historic Erie Canal corridor, making it suitable for various watercraft including kayaks, canoes, and motorboats. The water conditions here are characterized by a slow to moderate river current rather than a calm lake environment. Given the river's average velocity and gradient, boaters should have at least intermediate paddling skills and be prepared for downstream current. The drainage area of nearly 5000 square miles means this waterway can experience variable water levels depending on upstream conditions and recent precipitation.