Kaaterskill Creek

As of June 29, 2006, flood damage has closed Route 23a from Palenville to Haines Falls. You can still put in at the bridge above town (below the gorge and triple-drop) and run the mile or so through town, but access upstream, even on foot, will likely not happen for several months. As of now (July 1) it is closed to car, foot, and bike traffic above the bridge.

The flooding also changed the first rapid below the bridge. The gravel bar that separated the left (evil) and right (not so evil) channels has eroded, sending more water left. So, higher levels will be needed to make the right side go. The left side has some new wood as well.

Apparently the flood damage upstream is very significant, washing out big chunks of road. The first boaters who venture back should be wary.

A riverside homeowner in town said he'd never seen the river this high. He told me that his house interior was pretty torn up from the flood. Looking at the high water line, I'm sure other homes were damaged too.