Description
The Salmon River Unique Area is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and was created to protect a very popular tourist destination along with a wide variety of plant and animal life that is unique to this shale talus-based geology. Rare species such as the bird's-eye primrose and the yellow mountain saxifrage grow here. The goal of this unique area is to recognize and begin to protect its unique habitats as well as provide a basis for building a network of trails that follow the river all the way to the village of Pulaski to the west. Its designation as a "unique area" takes into account a number of regular activities that the land is used for, such as hiking, ice climbing, fishing, trapping, hunting, and limited logging.

Salmon River Falls is a spectacularly huge waterfall that plunges 110 feet over a steep cliff of shale and limestone as it makes its way westward to Lake Ontario. Unfortunately, before the state enacted rules that required the power companies to have minimal water release from their dams, Salmon River Falls was dry throughout most of the summer. That all changed in 1996 when the state mandated a minimal flow rate over the falls, enhancing its natural beauty year-round.

The character of the falls is constantly changing not only with the seasons but also with the activity at the power plant (located just a mile upstream). While the creation of the reservoirs above the falls has changed the Salmon River drastically, it is still possible to get visions of its grandeur when you visit the falls during peak water flow (750 cfs and higher).

At the mean water flow, the falls plunges in three distinct ribbons with uniquely beautiful characteristics. The right-most ribbon is the “primary” falls and thus has the highest and most consistent water flow year-round. The ribbons on the left and center are closest to the viewer and may be either dry or a slight trickle during low flow.

Trails
Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Markings: None.
Map: DEC Assets Map (pdf)
Details: The Falls Trail – The Falls Trail is a very easy gravel trail that leads only 1100 ft from the parking area to the final overlook of Salmon River Falls. There are two overlook platforms from the top of the gorge that supply excellent vantage points to view the falls from above. Glance through the trees when you can to get other viewpoints.

The Gorge Trail – The Gorge Trail is a short but steep hike down to the river bed. It drops 100 ft in elevation and has a length of 600 ft. The gorge trail is accessible about halfway along the Falls Trail along the right-hand side. Use extreme caution as there are very rough, steep stairways and drops along the way. If you want to view the falls from head on – then this is the trail to do. It's best to make sure you have enough daylight for the climb back up.

The Riverbed Trail – Not much of a trail as it is only 66 feet in length, this pathway is found at the end of the Falls Trail and gives you excellent access to the riverbed at the crest of Salmon River Falls.

Upper Falls Trail – The longest of the trails, this travels 1 mile one way to the base of the dam at the Salmon River hydroelectric power plant upstream from the falls. It travels nicely through woods and small pockets of marshy areas.

History
Salmon River Falls was an important place throughout history – although not necessarily for the beauty of such a large volume of water plunging over the cliff. Back when the Iroquois frequented the area, it was an important fishing spot as the falls were the final barrier to the huge runs of Atlantic Salmon that made their way upriver from Lake Ontario. Taking advantage of this, the Native Americans could collect ample amounts of Salmon for smoking and drying, giving them stock for the rest of the season and beyond.

As the area became developed in the 1800s and roads began to crisscross the area, the falls in its natural state became a destination for sightseers even after the fishery had died out due to the numerous mills and dams downstream. Sportfishing above the falls for brook trout rose in popularity in the 1860’s and by the 1890’s, picnicking along the creek bed above the falls was extremely popular. To this day, you can still find carvings in the rock faces dated all the way back to 1892.

By the 1900’s, development of the area was driven principally by hydroelectric power creation. A dam above the falls was finished in 1912 and most of the water was diverted around the falls, reducing it to nothing more than a trickle, sometimes running completely dry (averaging 3-5 cfs). Public use of the area declined during this time and the area became known for drinking, vandalism, and people falling to their death over the cliff. The area was eventually closed to the public completely.

In 1993 the state mandated that the power company sell its holdings that were not used in hydroelectric power creation – thus the DEC obtained the area. Many public hearings were held (and will be continued in the future) to take input from the public about the land and its potential. In 1996, the state  mandated that there must be a minimal flow to make the falls have characteristics of a "waterfall" and the area has been slowly gaining popularity with visitors once more. The DEC values input and encourages the marketing of the site http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/22565.html