Upper Black Eddy on Delaware

[superbenk]

We were driving down Rt. 32 today and saw a quiet little boat launch in Upper Black Eddy just south of the Milford bridge on the Delaware. There was a pontoon boat on the NJ side that took off north while we were scoping out the ramp and it got me wondering what the river is like through there. Does anyone have any experience with the river in that area? I tried checking out NOAA for charts, but they only seem to go up to Trenton. I've heard there are also launches in New Hope which is just south of that area a few miles, but a lot of the river between Upper Black Eddy & New Hope looked pretty shallow & un-navigable.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Upper Black Eddy on Delaware

Pictures of the launch (really pretty there) for anyone who's curious:
http://picasaweb.google.com/superbenk/UpperBlackEddy#

 

[superbenk]

Re: Upper Black Eddy on Delaware

Either all my eastern PA neighbors were out enjoying the nice weather, or nobody knows about this place Bumping anyhow in hopes someone just missed it.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Upper Black Eddy on Delaware

I was watching hoping someone would have better information the me.
My experience with the Delaware is mostly wade fishing. I know the ramp you're asking about but have never seen anything but small tinnies use it and have seen several come in with busted lower units. Not just there, but coming North as well. Easton has a ramp right at the mouth of the Lehigh, as well as a ramp on the lehigh. There's another a few miles north of Easton.
It seems like it'll be Ok for some distance and then it gets shallow real quick, or there are boulders all over the bottom that become more of a hazard as the water levels drop. I listen to Noaa for the river stages but haven't been able to equate that to meaningful depths for navigational purposes. NOR have I been able to find charts for the Delaware or upper Sussquehanna.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Upper Black Eddy on Delaware

NOR have I been able to find charts for the Delaware or upper Sussquehanna.

You've seen the charts for the Delaware up to Trenton, right?

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/12314.shtml

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Upper Black Eddy on Delaware

Yes, I've seen this although I doubt I'd go as far as trenton.......Maybe bristol though.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Upper Black Eddy on Delaware

I spend the majority of my boating time on the Deleware between Bordentown and Burlington. It's a beautiful place to go, lots of people having fun.

I know we've cruised up as far as Trenton, but you really need to watch the tides, or stay in the channel. I've seen some pretty big stuff go up to Trenton, but I'd be careful up there. We lost a prop and a chunk of my neighbor's outboard up that way once...not something I relish doing with my new whip. ;-)

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Upper Black Eddy on Delaware

Did a lot of tubeing down the river from north of NEW HOPE as far down as WASHINGTONS CROSSING. Lots of rocks and boulders. The boats you see there are pretty much isolated and are stuck to small sections in the river that might be deep. Would not consider going any farther north than YARDLEY where there is a nice ramp. Water should be trouble free south of the TRENTON MAKES THE WORLD TAKES bridge. Believe the channel is maintained up to there. Ocean freighters still go to the old FAIRLESS steel works north of BRISTOL. Current is also unpredictable. as rains up north can take a day or two to make it down the river. Have seen a lot of beat up lower units. regards FRED

 

[superbenk]

Re: Upper Black Eddy on Delaware

Current is also unpredictable. as rains up north can take a day or two to make it down the river. Have seen a lot of beat up lower units. regards FRED

Two of my biggest fears for going out on the river at all Tides are a 3rd fear. I've never been boating on a river before (grew up on a very deep water Finger Lake) let alone an estuary.

From the sounds of all this, I guess trying the launch at Neshaminy State Park is probably my best bet. According to the charts on NOAA, it seems pretty safe in that area and south of there.

Just need to get my nerve up in the spring and try it out, I guess.