D & H Conservancy Accomplishments

Although we have been operating only since September 2006,  much has been done.  Following is some of what has been accomplished.

Prospect Hill Rd. near the Neversink River.   The last two surveys of the trail list the towpath here as impassable.  They were right.  Unfortunately this condition was obscuring a wonderfully intact lock, Lock 52.  It also blocked approach to Lock 53.  As you can see from the pictures below, that situation has been greatly improved.

Before

After

Directly across the road from this area is the approach to the western abutment of Roebling's Aqueduct across the Neversink River.  This area, too, was overgrown, though not to the extent above.  With the help of Nick Simorelli several small trees were removed and brush was cut  The towpath is now clear all the way to the abutment.  What a view!

Port Orange Rd. to Van Inweigen's Basin. This one-half mile section is in remarkably good condition. The towpath is a full 10 feet wide with much of the towpath stonework in place. The prism is mostly intact with some fill ins. However, a very large washout occurs at the former site of Van Inweigen's basin. Trucks will be needed to carry equipment to this site in order to route a trail around it Therefore the towpath needs to be cleared to accommodate that width.

We are happy to report that a pickup truck can now easily traverse this section. Hopefully we can begin trail building through this area soon. (The D&H Conservancy gratefully acknowledges the help of Derek Alt.)

Before Above: Portion of breach. Towpath is in lower left corner. Prism is virtually gone. Much trash at site. Right: Typical of towpath in this area after tree and brush removal.

After

Port Orange Rd. breach. A small stream has created a moderate washout through the prism and towpath. It has gotten larger with the last three floods. We hope to work with Orange County Parks Department in repairing this breach using a culvert and fill.

However, the towpath needed to be cleared so that dump trucks can reach the breach. Also, fallen trees in the breach needed to be removed. We are happy to report that both of the above items are well under way and will be finished by the end of this year! (We greatly appreciate the efforts of Bill Rabse, Andy Mills and Kerron Barnes in this undertaking.)

Breach with downed trees. Removal work already begun.

Left: Bill cutting up trees for removal. Back Next
Right: Andy hauling logs to the truck.

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Last updated:  November 11, 2009