Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River between Lordville and Long Eddy, New York

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Length: 6 miles
Water Level at Time of Trip: 6.3 feet
Average moving speed:  3.9 MPH with two paddlers
Time: 1.5 hours

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This river review covers the Delaware River from the Lordville Canoe Launch in Lordville, New York, to the Long Eddy Boat Ramp in Long Eddy, New York, a span of 6 miles. The Lordville launch is for non-motorized watercraft only. Access to the river from the parking lot is across very rocky terrain. Coupled with the fact that the parking lot can only hold five vehicles, this isn’t the most convenient place to start a trip down the river, especially on a busy summer day.

Lordville Canoe Launch, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

Before starting a trip on the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, it is a good idea to check the water levels so that you have an idea of the river conditions. Levels of 2.5 to 4 feet are average and provide plenty of water for a trip down the river with conditions suitable for paddlers of all skill levels. On my late-October trip down the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, prior to Lordville, the water levels were very low. Starting at Lordville and continuing all the way to Long Eddy, the water was significantly deeper. The USGS water level gauge at Lordville claimed the water was 6.3 feet deep, about 4 feet deeper than upstream. This is because there is a large, deep pool of water just before Lordville, but that pool is not indicative of the water levels upstream. However, at least from Lordville to Long Eddy, the Lordville gauge can be relied upon. But keep in mind that the water certainly wasn’t 6 feet deep at Long Eddy, so things get shallower and shallower as you go. The gauge at Callicoon, New York, the next one south of Lordville (18 miles away) measured 1.3 feet on the same day.

Furthermore, don’t use the Lordville gauge to judge whether or not the river is dangerous to navigate. Anything over six feet requires more paddling skills, but that criteria should be based on the Callicoon gauge. For example, checking the gauges as I write this report, the Lordville gauge reads 10.5 feet, which is hazardous, while the Callicoon gauge reads 3.7 feet, which is an average water level that is good for all paddling skills. Again, 6.3 feet at Lordville means nothing more than you should have a good trip down to Long Eddy, and that’s about it.

For the first three miles downstream of Lordville, the water moved a little faster than it did upstream, but certainly not to any adventurous extent. There were a few spots with some choppy water, which, while not exactly white water, is a little more fun than calm water. This section of the Delaware River continues to be a good choice for those with small children or who just want a relaxing paddling trip, provided, of course, that the water level is at least a couple feet deep.

Choppy water on the Delaware River between Lordville and Long Eddy, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

Starting three miles downstream of Lordville, the current slows. This begins at the curve in the river just south of the Bouchoux Trail (if you have a river map or GPS, you can see where this curve is located).

Slow section of the Delaware River between Lordville and Long Eddy, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

The current picks up about a mile later when the river passes around a couple of islands, which is typical due to the narrowing of the channel as the river flows around an island—more water flowing through a smaller space. However, just beyond the islands the Delaware River is like a lake. The current dropped to below 1 MPH, which was the slowest current I came across since I started my trip earlier in the day at Hancock, New York. This occurs at the final curve to the east before the Long Eddy Boat Ramp (a mile from the ramp).

Slow section of the Delaware River near the Long Eddy Boat Ramp, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

The Lordville-Long Eddy section of the Delaware River continues to be very scenic with only a few residential houses along the shore. I did see a couple of bald eagles in this area. Unfortunately, I did not have the proper lens to get a good photo.

Houses along the Delaware River between Lordville and Long Eddy, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

Scenery along the Delaware River between Lordville and Long Eddy, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

The Long Eddy Boat Ramp will sneak up on you if you don’t know when to start looking for it (a GPS helps). It is on the left side of the river (New York side). If you get out at Long Eddy and walk up the ramp, you’ll see a house and might think this is a private ramp. However, this is not the case. The Long Eddy ramp is a public boat ramp.

Approaching the Long Eddy Boat Ramp, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

View of the Long Eddy Boat Ramp from the river, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

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