Downtown

This section changed significantly between 2015 and 2017 when Mechanicville's downtown area underwent reconstruction.  Much of this stretch used to be inside a tunnel, but is now open to the sky and easily scoutable from Main Street.

The Downtown rapids is a long run of class II+ water through the heart of Mechanicville.  The difficulty varies widely depending on water level.  The creek is surrounded by concrete walls which amplify waves and put them at odd angles.  As a result, this section can be class I+ at low levels, up to class III and probably the biggest water of the course at higher flows.

You will come into a section of choppy water and wave trains at the start of Downtown.  Because of the sheer walls and lack of boulders there are few, if any, places to stop.

A short way in you will see a large concrete wall directly ahead, and the creek will make a 90 degree turn to the right.  After this turn will be a number of smaller bends, and one river-wide ledge that can form an impressive hole at most levels.  The downtown section ends when you pass under the N. Main St bridge.  A very large wave will form directly underneath this bridge when the water is high.  If you go out of your boat here be prepared to swim all the way to the Hudson.