Watershed Recreation in 2018
We recently released our annual Watershed Recreation Newsletter. It serves as yearly source of information for local residents and visitors who enjoy outdoor activities on water supply lands and reservoirs. We have worked diligently with our partners to expand recreational opportunities and make access easier for anyone who wants to fish, paddle, hike and more.
Here are some events to look forward to in 2018:
Spring — Family Fishing Day at Ashokan Reservoir
Experts will teach participants to fish at one of NYC’s most scenic reservoirs. Bait and fishing poles will be provided. Bring your own if you have them! This event in Ulster County is co-sponsored by New York State DEC.
Spring — Family Fishing Day on the Croton System
Experts will teach participants how to fish on NYC reservoirs east of the Hudson River. Bait and fishing poles will be provided for those who don’t have their own. This event in Putnam County is co-sponsored by New York State DEC.
Autumn — Guided hike at High Point Mountain
Join us, New York State DEC, and the Catskill Mountain Club for a guided hike up High Point Mountain in the Catskills. The trail includes a scenic view of Ashokan Reservoir. DEC will provide information about the history of the Catskill Park, and we will share information about the history and operation of the largest municipal water supply in the United States.
Autumn — Reservoir Cleanup Day
Join hundreds of volunteers to keep our forests and reservoir shorelines free of debris! Our annual cleanup is part of an international effort to remove shoreline debris from beaches, lakes and other popular waterbodies around the world.
Additional event details will be posted throughout the year on our NYC Watershed Facebook page. For more information, you can also sign up to receive our bi-monthly digital newsletter at watershedevents@dep.nyc.gov.
There are now approximately 135,000 acres of water supply property open for recreation in the watershed. Of that, roughly 71,000 acres of land are in public access areas that are open to recreation without a DEP permit. For those areas that require a permit, the free-of-charge DEP Access Permit can be obtained online at nyc.gov/dep/accesspermit.
