Aerial view · USGS
Plumb Brook Falls
New York • 15 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
3D terrainDifficulty
Easy
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Plumb Brook Falls
Plumb Brook Falls is a 15-foot ribbon cascade on Plumb Brook in Whippoorwill Corners State Forest in the town of Russell, St. Lawrence County. The brook flows through the middle of the state forest toward the Grasse River at Russell, with several small falls, pools and riffles. The falls are on public state forest land, a short walk from a fishing access parking area.
The Setting
Plumb Brook Falls sits at 640 feet within Whippoorwill Corners State Forest, in the foothills of New York. The falls drop 15 feet.
Height: 15 feet
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
From the Plumb Brook Fishing Access Site parking area, walk downstream along the brook; the falls are a couple of minutes away on a dirt path. The state forest's Brookview trail follows more than a mile of Plumb Brook for a longer walk.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 15 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Plumb Brook Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on state forest land; DEC state forest regulations apply.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
Permit required
The falls are located on private property, so visitors should obtain permission from the landowner before accessing the area.
🏊 Is There Swimming at Plumb Brook Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit when water flow is typically at its peak due to snowmelt and rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Rocks near the brook are slippery when wet. Cell service may be limited.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Oswegatchie River, 12.7 miles away, not on Plumb Brook Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
299 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 83 years of record
2.56 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge OSWEGATCHIE RIVER NEAR OSWEGATCHIE NY (20 km away).
Today
Roaring
323 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
307 cfs
8/10Sat
Roaring
292 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
326 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
337 cfs
9/10Tue
Strong
323 cfs
10/10Wed
Strong
325 cfs
10/10Best window: Tue — strong flow, mostly sunny (trip score 10/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early March to mid May, peaking in April.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Richville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Plumb Brook Falls Frozen?
Updated about 6 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Plumb Brook Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 45°F to 34°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 265 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in New York.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain Around Plumb Brook Falls
High-resolution lidar hasn't been flown here yet, so this is the aerial view of the ground around the falls. Open the 3D view to tilt and spin the landscape.
The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Take County Route 17 in the town of Russell to the Plumb Brook Fishing Access Site road, about half a mile from the junction of County Routes 17 and 24. The access road is less than a tenth of a mile long.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
A small unpaved lot at the Plumb Brook Fishing Access Site off County Route 17. A second state forest parking area along Plumb Brook is off Burnell Road.
Elevation
640 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.397792° N, -75.149611° W
Land Management
Managed by SDC
Visitor Tips & Gear
The state forest is open year-round with no fee. Wear footwear with grip for wet rock along the brook.
Where to Stay
Camp Lake Bear
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Canton
Best Western University Inn
Holiday Inn Express - Canton by IHG
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Burnell Road Falls, just downstream on Plumb Brook, is on private property and should be viewed from the road only. Lampson Falls is also on the Grasse River in St. Lawrence County.
Wildlife
The area may feature typical Adirondack wildlife such as deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of ticks and other insects.
Cities near Plumb Brook Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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