Cannonsville Recreational Boating - give it a paddle

New York State’s Western Catskills  have long been a place for those who know the secrets of its waters: the best fly-fishing spots, early season high water kayaking on the rivers, fishing from canoes on the reservoirs. What had been lacking are large bodies of water for recreational use.  That changed in 2009 when the New York City Department of Environmental Protection opened up of  most of the Cannonsville Reservoir for recreational kayaking, canoeing, sculls, and for small sailboats, like Sunfish. The Cannonsville is western-most reservoir, and runs from south of Walton west and south towards Deposit and Hancock.   Last year almost 200 people went through the process of getting a permit and steam cleaning their boats – and got to paddle on these pristine waters. 

Two steps are required to access the Cannonsville.  First the boater will need a DEP Access Permit, which you can get online at www.nyc.gov or at local sports stores. Second is the Recreational Boat Tag, which you get once your boat has been steam cleaned. All craft must be steam cleaned prior to being placed on the water and permits affixed to the boats. Trailers are not allowed in the water and there is no camping at these sites. 

The NYC DEP has nine launch sites: Roods Creek, Mormon Hollow, Dry Brook, Speedwell, Patterson, Apex, Fish Brook Beers Brook, and Dryden Brook all listed with GPS coordinates on the free brochure.

Boat Cleaning
Five  boat cleaning businesses will be in operation in the towns surrounding the reservoir – Downsville, Deposit, Trout Creek and Walton and each charges their own rate. The cleaning process will take about 20 minutes per boat, so make sure you give yourself enough time if you have a few boats.   These vendors will  issue you Recreational Boat Tag good for 1-7 days during which your boat must stay on NYC DEP lands. When you visit these locations, please remember to support these local vendors and purchase your supplies from them. For those wishing to obtain a full-season pass, steam cleaning services will be provided by the DEP Downsville Operation’s office located on NYS Route 30. Call 607-363-7009 to schedule an appointment.

Boat Rentals
Here are a few options for renting boats – though you’ll still need to have the boat steam cleaned.  Als Sport Store in Downsville will be renting out canoes and kayaks - call them at 607-326-3500 or visit  www.alssportstore.com.  Catskill Outfitters in Walton will be renting kayaks and canoes – call them at 607-865-8827 or visit www.catskilloutfitters.com. Border Water Outfitters in Hancock will be renting canoes and they can be reached at 607-637-4296 or at www.borderwateroutfitters.com.  Catskill Outback Adventures has kayaks and canoes to rent out to the public, complete with car-top accessories for transporting the boat. Call them for more info at 845-254-9888 or visit their website at www.catskilloutback.com.

Access is from sunrise to sunset and will run from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus weekend.  The Delaware County tourism office is providing a brochure outlining all the information you need to know on the rules and regulations for the Cannonsville. You can receive a copy by calling 866-775-4425 and leaving your name and address or by emailing your request to info@greatwesterncatskills.com.  You can download the brochure on the tourism website www.greatwesterncatskills.com.  


This is a three year pilot program running from 2009 – 2011, after which the City will assess the benefits and local impact and determine whether to keep it open or possibly expand it.

The CAT Race - Cannonsville Adventure Triathlon

There'll be no pussyfooting around this race course!!!  (Sorry we just had to write one feline line.)  The Cannonsville Adventure Triathlon is coming to the Western Catskills and what a day it's going to be!  Sunday, June 5th is the date.  The NYC DEP is allowing use of the Cannonsville Reservoir for the paddle leg.  This kicks off their third year of a three year pilot program allowing recreational boating on the reservoir. This is a great sign and hopeful indication that the program will be opened up in the future to other reservoirs.

The race is a 6.5 mile run (just over a 10k), then a 4 mile paddle, finishing with a 12 mile bike (mostly downhill with a dismount finish).  There will be awards of $500 for the fastest man, woman and team. All racers will get medallions and a free t-shirt and meal/drink voucher.  Hancock is hosting and rolling out the carpet for racers and their friends and family.  Post-race party next to the Hancock House Hotel with live music sponsored by the Hancock Partners. 

Folks who live here know how beautiful the reservoir lands are and we're hoping lots more folks will get the same vibe coming here for this race. Bald eagles nest along the reservoir lands and can be see from the water easily when paddling.  Bear, deer, turkey, fox, grouse, rabbit, coyote, and other wildlife abound as well.

Racers will need to get their boats steam cleaned by an authorized site prior to the race, and stored at the transition area by Saturday evening.  While this (and the required NYC DEP Access Permit - easy to obtain online and free) are extra hurdles for out of area racers - the ability to be on the City's reservoir in the company of other racers, and to hang out and get to know the area will make for a great trip and worth the effort.

The race website http://cannonsvilletriathlon.blogspot.com has all the information you'll need to know and links to get your Access Permit and online registration for the race. There are Google maps for the course as well as area lodging and dining and attractions. 

Organizers are very appreciative of the City's allowing the use of the reservoir for the race, as well as the assistance of the town, local officials, NYS DOT, local law enforcement and volunteer EMS, local volunteer organizations, the County and Economic Development. Especially noteworthy is the Catskill Watershed Corporation's sponsor funding for this inaugural year event and the three year pilot program to allow recreational boating on the Cannonsville.

Help spread the word about this great event and if you are so inclined and capable of performing the feats necessary to complete the course - come on out and race with us!!