Saturday, April 16, 2011

Winners Purses Announced for CAT Race

Woo Hoo!! Purses for top finishers have been announced for the CAT Race. Fastest finishing male, female and team will each receive $500. This should make for quite a competitive race!

There will be more classes of racers and the bragging rights that go along with winning your class. Besides gender divisions (male, female and team), classes will be set by type of boat (regular or pro), and then age groups (in ten year increments). If there are not enough racers in a category they will be combined with the nearest class.

All racers will receive a beautiful bluestone medallion comemmorating the race, a complimentary Inaugural Race T-shirt as well as a meal voucher and drink ticket (beer or non-alcoholic beverage) for after the race.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Why Steam Clean My Boat?

We know it seems like a burden. Why do I have to show up a day early and have my boat steam cleaned? Welcome to the Watershed!

The responsibility for providing clean drinking water to millions of people every day is a task the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) takes seriously. The Cannonsville Reservoir alone holds 96 billion gallons of water and covers miles and miles of shoreline. It is part of one of the largest unfiltered water systems, being used by 9 million consumers. Up to 800 million gallons of water are allowed to be taken out of the Delaware System each day - just imagine if that had to be cleaned because an invasive species or two got a foothold in the waters or shoreline.

Invasive species such as Zebra/Quagga Mussels, Japanese Knotweed, or Rock Snot are known to all public water system managers. A nonindigenous species is one that "threatens the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activities dependent upon such waters" says the NYState DEC website.

We appreciate that all you racers will have to jump through this hoop, but hope the lure of racing around the Cannonsville and hospitality of the folks in Hancock will make it all worthwhile. The Google map for the race course also shows the locations of the boat cleaning businesses. We highly recommend and oh so strongly urge you to make an appointment at one to ensure your boat is cleaned by Saturday evening and dropped off at the transition area. Folks who register later will likely have to get a boat cleaning appointment earlier in the day on Saturday or possibly even on Friday. The entire process of cleaning a boat takes about 20 minutes.

Allowing for recreation on their reservoir is one way the City pays it back to the local communities and business and greatly appreciated by them. Additional recreation is allowed on designated City lands such as hiking and hunting.

While these regulations exist, the lands around the reservoirs are kept in pristine condition and that is no exaggeration. The DEP has their own police force that patrols them. Likewise the lands that filter the water and moves it to the creeks and streams that flow into the reservoirs are equally protected. Farms work with the City to manage livestock and runoff, which keep the farms in good working condition and attractive to drive by. While the topography of the mountains will keep development at bay, the regulations add to that by having strict guidelines for development. Large projects can happen but with higher standards for roads, runoff, spectic, impervious surfaces. The City also buys land outright or purchases development rights from landowners,keeping even more land undeveloped and open space protected. When you talk about how green an event is, it really doesn't get any greener than this!!

The Western Catskills do have a different look about them in the Watershed lands. It is uncrowded and beautiful. A paradise for those that like four seasons of weather and being out in Mother Nature's playground. We hope that once you've been here for the CAT Race you'll come back again and again!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Campgrounds Near CAT Race


The Cannonsville Area has the most camping and RV facilities in the western Catskills area due to it's proximity to the East Branch of the Delaware River and great fishing along it's banks. It is also where the West Branch meets up and other well known tributaries such as the Beaverkill and Willowemoc. The Delaware River starts just below Hancock - which is the start of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.

You can also camp on New York State DEC lands. Please familiarize yourself with rules for backcountry camping on state lands by going to the DEC website linked here.

The Great Western Catskills website has a listing of all lodging in the county broken out by type of lodging and price range. We're showcasing some local campgrounds that have websites we could link to for our intrepid racers.


Guestward Ho Family Campgrounds
Guestward Ho Family Campground offers lakeside and lakeview campsites for all types of campers. Nestled atop the highest point in Deposit, New York, our sites offer outstanding panoramic lake views. Our wooded sites are situated on 50 acres, presenting your family the perfect setting for a true camping experience!
6214 Decker Road • Deposit, NY 13754
P: 607-467-3246
W: www.guestwardho.com

Peaceful Valley Campsite
Select a sunny or shaded area in one of our three island, river front, or mainland campsites. With over 500 acres, there is a special spot for everyone!
486 Banker Road • Shinhopple, NY 13755
P: 607-363-2211
W: www.nypeacefulvalley.com

Oxbow Campsites
Oxbow Campsites is located along the East Branch of the Deleware River and is only minutes from Roscoe N.Y. also known as "Trout Town U.S.A." We have two playgrounds safely located away from any main roads, a ball field, a recreation hall full of video games and pin ball games, a Volley Ball net and much more to keep everyone occupied.
3026 County Route 30 • East Branch, NY 13756
P: 607-363-7141
W: www.oxbowcampsites.com

Russell Brook Campsites
One of New Yorks most naturally beautiful campsites. Situated in a secluded valley, high in the catskill mountains. Surrounded by 18,000 acres of forest preserve and country streams. Secluded tent sites, RV sites, cabin rentals. Most sites waterfront.
731 Russell Brook Road • Cooks Falls/Roscoe, NY 12776
P: 607-498-5416
W: www.russellbrook.com