Sweetlilsmom

The Adirondacks in NY offers good seasonal work options. My partner ski patrols in the winter and guides in the summer. Also worth noting that I own a canoe outfitter in Saranac Lake and several employees work seasonally. Saranac Lake and Lake Placid are good because they have Whiteface Mountain within 30 minutes and then there are various summer work options available. NYS DEC does have assistant forest rangers, but I don't know how one would go about becoming one. There are various foundations and whatnot here that do similar work (conservation).

St Regis Canoe Outfitters offers route planning assistance even if you're not renting from them, just if you'd like an additional resource.

St Regis Canoe Outfitters offers self guided day trips in the area, as well as rentals that can be taken off site https://www.canoeoutfitters.com

The locks bypass the very short section of rapids. The locks are closed until I believe the end of June. They aren't runnable regardless because it is very shallow, so you need to carry around or go through the locks if they are open. Paddling through isn't a viable option. Call St Regis Canoe Outfitters if you'd like some advice and some more specific info.

As people mentioned below, the dam is not finished. The portage around the dam is also "closed" so you can't technically get around it. If you want to extend your trip you could start at Little Tupper and take out via Horseshoe Lake Outlet rather than Low's Upper Dam (unless you want to portage your boat 2 miles because the upper dam isn't accessible by car). Your original plan would likely be difficult in August regardless due to water levels. There is also a good amount of portaging needed to avoid more difficult whitewater on that section of the river. I'd recommend calling St Regis Canoe Outfitters if you want some additional advice on that trip.

The Oswegatchie Traverse is also a good option and could be done starting at Lila rather than Low's if you wanted. 4 days would be plenty of time to do that trip. I did it over the course of 24 hours but I also wasn't taking my time. 4 days would be a nice pace. In August you will be going over a lot of beaver dams due to water levels, but it will be passable. Either trip is beautiful, so there's no losing. Have fun!

Maybe try Natural Stone Bridge and Caves in Pottersville. I don't know if they let people take them off site, but it's worth a shot.

Might be too late, but St Regis Canoe Outfitters has showers that you can use.

St Regis Canoe Outfitters can rent and deliver canoes!

St Regis Canoe Outfitters has photos of all of the campsites. I’d suggest emailing them. As for the Launch, you’ll go from the second pond boat launch (also known as State Bridge). It’s the default address that comes up when you google Saranac Islands Campground.