Delaware River Report / Conditions May 16, 2012

That was a slight bit of rain yesterday. While the West Branch stayed clear down low for a good chunk of the day, Oquaga Creek and many of the upper tributaries dirtied the river up pretty well. Even Stilesville (right below the dam) was affected, with several drainage ditches dirtying it up – a true rarity! We have dropped precipitously overnight, and now sit at about 1,560 CFS, with just a little bit of greenish tinge to the water out front in Home Pool. I would suspect the farther up you go, the clearer the river will become. As for the East / Beaverkill / Main, well, that’s a different story. The Beaverkill hit 16,000 cfs yesterday (you read that right), and that slug has finally moved its way down through the East and Main, which is still pumping over 15,000 CFS. We haven’t had a report as to the clarity over there yet this morning, but I would suspect it will take awhile to clear, likely being back to ‘normal’ clarity by the weekend. The West should be fairly clear by the end of day today, so long as there isn’t another deluge in the forecast!

The view out front as of 7:30 AM this morning. Photo by: Bart Larmouth

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria – Hendricksons – #16 – West Branch Only

Stenonema vicarium – March Browns – #10-2xl

Ephemerella dorthea – Sulphurs – #16

Ephemerella invaria – Large Sulphurs / Light Cahills – #14

Dark Brachycentrus Caddis – Charcoal – #16 & #18

Baetis species – #18 & #20