Members of the Mid-Hudson Chapter of ADK maintain the Black Creek Water Trail near Highland, NY, and the lower Wappinger Creek from the waterfalls in the NY Village of Wappingers Falls all the way to the Hudson River.
On the Black Creek, we clip overhanging branches, pick up litter and clean occasional blockage, on an annual basis, in cooperation with the Highland Environmental Conservation Committee. It’s typically light work. Our Chapter’s volunteers were also involved in the creation of the water trail many years ago. That was heavy work!
On the lower Wappinger Creek, our Chapter’s volunteers pick up litter each year on the day of Riverkeeper’s Hudson River Sweep. Most years this involves collecting beverage and bait containers, plastic bags and other small items; however, in 2014, we pulled 49 old tires out of the creek.
These are important public services that our Chapter performs for all Mid-Hudson Valley paddlers. We hope that our efforts will not go unnoticed and that paddlers from the local communities will join us in this important work. Keeping local waterways navigable is in the best interests of all paddlers.
Consider coming out to help us on one or both of these public service projects. You’ll be glad you did.
If you have a favorite water trail that needs annual maintenance, I’d like to know about it.
Contact me, Russ Faller, Mid-Hudson Chapter Paddling Chair: 845-297-5126 (before 9 PM) or russoutdoors@yahoo.com