Santa Clara Tract

The lands purchased from Champion International consist of three noncontiguous blocks known as the Santa Clara Tract, Tooley Pond Tract and Croghan Tract, covering portions of ten towns in Franklin, St. Lawrence, Herkimer and Lewis Counties. The area was purchased because it has significant stretches of high quality recreational water. This web page deals exclusively with the State-owned lands within the Santa Clara Tract.

Location and Access

The Santa Clara Tract is located in west-central Franklin and eastern St. Lawrence Counties. The State-owned portion on this tract, which supports the Northern Flow River Corridors, is located entirely in Franklin County, in the towns of Waverly, Santa Clara and Duane.

From the west: Potsdam, NY - follow Route 11B east to Nicholville. Turn right onto Route 458. Follow Route 458 to St. Regis Falls. To reach Everton Falls access point, or the Deer River Corridor, follow Red Tavern Road (County Route 14) east. For all other access points, stay on Route 458.

From the north: Massena/Malone - from Massena, take Route 37 south to Malone. In Malone, pick up Route 30 and continue south. For the Deer River Corridor and to access the East Branch of the St. Regis River from the Everton Falls Preserve, turn right when you come to Red Tavern Road (County Route 14). For all other access points, continue south on Route 30 and turn right when you reach Route 458.

From the south: Saranac Lake - follow Route 86 north to its intersection with Route 30 at Paul Smiths. Turn left onto Route 458 for southern access points or continue to Red Tavern Road (County Route 14) for northern access points.

From the south: Tupper Lake - follow Routes 3 & 30 east until they split at Wawbeek. Continue on Route 30 north passing through Lake Clear and Paul Smiths. Turn left onto Route 458 for southern access points or onto Red Tavern Road (County Route 14) for northern access points.

From the east: Plattsburgh, NY - follow Route 3 west until you pass Merrills Corners near Loon Lake. Turn right onto the Gabriels-Onchiota Road (County Route 30) passing through Onchiota and Rainbow Lake. Turn right onto the Jones Pond Road (County Route 31) and follow it to Route 86. Turn right onto Route 86. When you reach Route 30 at Paul Smiths, turn right once again. Turn left on Route 458 for southern access points or the Red Tavern Road (County Route 14) for northern access points. image of champion land

Area Maps and Trip Planning

There are very few signs in the Northern Flow River Corridors. Accurate maps are essential. For more detailed information about the Northern Flow River Corridors within the Santa Clara Tract, consult the following USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps: Augerhole Falls, Lake Ozonia, Lake Titus, Meacham Lake, Meno, St. Regis Falls, St. Regis Mountain and Santa Clara. Maps are available in many book and outdoor stores or directly from USGS by calling (800) USA-MAPS.

Additional Resources:

Tips for Using State Lands. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, P.O. Box 296, Ray Brook, NY 12971 (518) 897-1200.
Adirondack Waterways. Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, P.O. Box 51, West Chazy, 12992 (518) 846-8016.
Adirondack Great Walks and Day Hikes. Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, P.O. Box 51, West Chazy, 12992 (518) 846-8016.
Adirondack Canoe Waters North Flow. Paul Jamieson and Donald Morris. 1998. The Adirondack Mountain Club, 814 Goggins Road, Lake George, NY 12845 (518) 668-4447.
Northern Region Guidebook. Peter V. O'Shea. 1995. The Adirondack Mountain Club, 814 Goggins Road, Lake George, NY 12845 (518) 668-4447.
Discover the Northern Adirondacks. Barbara McMartin. 1994. Distributed by North Country Books, 311 Turner St., Utica, NY 13501 (315) 735-4877.
Franklin County Tourism Office. 63 West Main St., Malone, NY 12953 (518) 483-1704.

History

Historically, the Santa Clara Tract is one of the more remote areas of the Adirondacks. Since European settlement of the region, the area has been owned by a series of large and small timber companies and utilized primarily for timber production from the 1870's onward. The limited road network through the property stems primarily from these activities and from the abandoned rights-of-way of timber related railways that passed through the area. There were several early hotels, one as early as 1876. The nearby communities of Santa Clara and Saint Regis Falls grew up primarily in support of the timber industry.

Land and Waters

The Santa Clara Tract is a mix of gently rolling hills and low mountains dominated by glacial formations, terraces and eskers. There are three major river drainages, the St. Regis, the Deer and the East Branch of the St. Regis. There are numerous other streams, ponds, bogs and wetland areas, giving the area a wild, boreal character. The river corridors range from meandering broad streams to narrow rock-filled channels with dangerous rapids and falls. The vegetation on the Santa Clara Tract varies with the terrain. The river corridors contain a mixture of alders, holly, willow, red maple and various softwoods, such as balsam, white cedar and red spruce. While the upland areas are primarily northern hardwoods, such as yellow birch and sugar maple, with some areas of softwoods, such as white pine.

Fish and Wildlife

Many of the tributaries of the Deer River, St. Regis River, East Branch St. Regis River and Quebec Brook contain wild populations of small brook trout. Some brook trout also inhabit the main rivers near the mouths of tributaries and in spring holes. Northern pike are common in the deeper pools of the St. Regis and in Santa Clara Flow. Smallmouth bass occupy rockier sections of the East Branch St. Regis River. Panfish, yellow perch and brown bullhead can be found in Madawaska Flow and Santa Clara Flow.

Just outside the Santa Clara Tract, the St. Regis River is stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout downstream of the community of St. Regis Falls. In addition, the Deer River is stocked with brown trout from Dickinson Center to the Reynoldston Road. Public fishing opportunities are available along these stretches of river.

Wildlife is also plentiful throughout the Santa Clara Tract. A visitor to this area may likely see or hear white-tailed deer, black bear, red fox, coyote, fisher, red squirrel, snowshoe hare, and an occasional moose. Along the river corridors, muskrat, mink, raccoon and otter abound. Osprey and bald eagle can occasionally be seen soaring high above or perched on a tree limb along the edge of a pond or stream.

Loon have been known to nest and are frequently seen on Madawaska Flow. In the more boreal forests, one can find songbirds, warbler, flycatcher, three-toed woodpeckers and the rare spruce grouse. The Department of Environmental Conservation is currently surveying the distribution of spruce grouse. You can help this effort by reporting any spruce grouse sightings to the DEC Regional Office in Ray Brook at (518) 897-1200.

Note: Unless otherwise posted, public hunting and fishing will not be allowed on any of these lands until July 1, 2000.

Special Rules And Regulations

Many of the following special rules and regulations are temporary, but will serve until a detailed plan is developed for the area.

Public recreational use is restricted to within 500 feet of the Deer River, East Branch St. Regis River, Main Branch St. Regis River and Quebec Brook, Onion River corridors and to within 500 feet of the Madawaska Flow shoreline.
The public must stay on designated primary access corridors or on public highways to access this property. Certain primary access corridors will only be open for public use during certain times of the year, while others will remain under exclusive use of lessees for a period of time. Snowmobile use is permitted only on access corridors designated for such use.
Public access to the easement portions of the Santa Clara Tract will be made available for recreational purposes after June 30, 2000. Leases in existence between June 30, 2000 and June 30, 2014 will retain exclusive hunting rights from September 1 through December 31 of each year. Additionally, for the same period, with the exception of primary access corridors, public use of the easement lands will not be allowed during the rifle season for white-tailed deer.
Unless otherwise posted, public hunting, fishing and trapping are not permitted.
Motorboats are not permitted unless otherwise posted. A 10 horsepower limit has been established for motorboats operated within the Santa Clara Tract.
Camping will be available on designated sites only. These sites will be identified by DEC signage. Camping permits are required for groups of 10 or more persons or for stays at one site of more then three consecutive nights. Permits for groups larger than 12 persons will not be issued. Camping is also available at the Deer River Campground on Red Tavern Road, Meacham Lake Public Campground east of Route 30 or the Town of Waverly Campground in St. Regis Falls.
Please do not trespass on adjacent private lands. The perimeter of the Forest Preserve lands is signed.

River Hazards

The rivers described in this brochure have varying levels of difficulty and risk. Natural hazards, such as over-hanging trees, logjams, rocks and boulders, exist on all the rivers. Beaver dams require special care in crossing. Rapids and waterfalls have been identified on the map, and DEC is providing portages around each section. Different water levels may mean different degrees of risk and difficulty in passage. A particular section of river can range from a high-water torrent to a virtual rock garden depending on spring snow melt and the amount of subsequent rainfall. Visitors are advised to assess each situation based on their own abilities to navigate these portions of the rivers. In some cases, it might be wise to carry, wade, or line around rough sections. U.S. Coast Guard personal flotation devices are required of all watercraft users.

Note: The land identified on this map as "Tooley Pond Tract-Northern Flow River Corridors" are part of the Forest Preserve. All codes, rules and regulations listed under Part 190 of the Environmental Conservation Law apply.

Important Guidelines for Outdoor Recreationists

The Adirondack Forest Preserve's forests, mountains, lakes and rivers offer numerous opportunities for recreational pleasure, nature appreciation and an escape from the urban world. To help maintain the natural character of the Forest Preserve for your enjoyment and those that follow, please observe these simple guidelines:

Plan Ahead - Plan your trip according to routes and time available, carrying the latest guidebooks and maps. Check weather forecasts before you depart. Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Park in designated areas only. Sign all trail registers.
Prepare for Emergencies - Even for day trips, each party should carry a waterproof bag or pack with minimum emergency essentials: a basic first aid kit, pocketknife, space blanket, waterproof matches, rain gear, extra protective clothing, high energy food snacks, a whistle for signaling, a flashlight with extra batteries, a water rescue throw-bag, and at least 30 feet of rope. Bring sun screen and insect repellent. Dress for the weather. An approved, wearable, personal flotation device is required for anyone aboard a boat, kayak or canoe.
Keep Parties Small - This reduces your impact on river environments and on the experiences of others. You will also increase your chances of seeing wildlife in and adjacent to the rivers and wetlands.
Camping - Camping is permitted at designated sites only. Respect other campers by keeping noise to a minimum and keeping your site clean. Carry a tent in case interior lean-tos are full. A DEC camping permit is required if there are 10 or more persons in your group. Regardless of group size, all persons camping at one location more than three consecutive nights must possess a camping permit. These are issued by area Forest Rangers free of charge on a first-come first-served basis.
Trails and Carries - River corridors are narrow strips of land bordering each river, and there is little room to disperse human impacts. Stay on designated carries (portages) and avoid making new trails. Designated carries provide safe routes around rapids, waterfalls, and other river hazards.
Fires - No fires are permitted, except for cooking, warmth or smudge. Choose bare level ground, clear away leaves and twigs for three feet and lay stones in a fire ring. Use only dead and down wood. Be sure fires are extinguished, DEAD OUT, before you leave. Better yet, carry a portable stove. Stoves heat more quickly, are easier to clean and do not leave blackened rocks and partially burned firewood. They come in handy during wet rainy weather. Be careful with cigarettes and matches. Don't leave garbage in the fire pit. Report unattended fires to the local Forest Ranger.
Water Supply - Wash dishes and yourself away from and below sources of water. Dispose of waste water away from streams and springs. Do not drink untreated water. Boil, filter, or chemically treat all water from natural sources to avoid microbiological contamination.
Pack It In, Pack It Out - Leave the woods cleaner than you found them. Bring a garbage bag to carry out trash. Burying refuse is prohibited.
Properly Dispose of Human Waste - Use a pit privy if one is provided. If not, bury all human waste under four inches of soil Stay 150 feet away from (and below) any water source.
Take Nothing But Pictures - Enjoy but do not remove or deface plants, animals, fossils, minerals or other materials. Do not drive nails into trees, or peel birch bark.
Firearms - Do not discharge a firearm in a parking or camping area or across a road open for traffic.
Accidents or Emergencies - In case of an accident, at least one person should remain with the injured. Others should carefully note the location and contact the local Forest Ranger to report a lost or injured companion.
If you get lost - If lost, keep calm, stay where you are and keep warm. If you think you can find your way out, following streams downhill will nearly always lead you to habitation. A large smoky fire is the best means to signal your position.
Pets - As trail use increases, owners with dogs should consider fellow hikers so that restrictive measures will not be necessary to control pets. When others approach, leash your dog and keep him quiet. Keep him out of sources of potable water. Remove droppings from the trail and campsite area.
Be Considerate of Others - Practice good river etiquette. Slower parties should keep to the right, if possible, and allow faster groups to pass. Groups from the same party should avoid spreading across the entire width of the river and maintain a tight group when encountering others. All river users should respect anglers on the river and not cross over fish lines or disrupt their fishing holes.
Storage of Boats and Canoes - Boats and canoes may not be left stored on State land for more than 24 hours. All watercraft must be removed from State lands at the completion of each trip.

In Case of Emergency

Forest Fire, Search and Rescue: (518) 891-0235 (24 hours a day)
Ray Brook Law Enforcement: (518) 897-1326 or dial 911

Comments and Suggestions

These are public lands and waters owned by all of us and are a significant natural heritage for future generations. The Department of Environmental Conservation would like your suggestions on how to improve the management of this area. Please send your comments to:
Regional Forester, DEC, Route 86, Box 296, Ray Brook, NY 12977 (518) 897-1276.

For General Information:

If you require additional information regarding the Santa Clara Tract, river conditions, backcountry information and permits, fishing and hunting regulations and licenses, consult the office listed below. Normal office hours are Monday - Friday 8:30 am. to 4:45 pm DEC Region 5 Headquarters, Route 86, Box 296, Ray Brook, NY 12977 (518) 897-1200.