PerfectPerfect forfor PeacefulPeaceful PaddlingPaddling compiled by Art Michaels LE IL H A The 31-mile Lehigh River Water Trail Southern Section begins at the I G R Lehigh Gap and ends at the confluence of the Lehigh River with the Dela- H T ware River, in Easton. The Southern Section widens and tends to provide R R more tranquil paddling than the Northern Section. Rolling hills and for- IV TE ested riparian corridors characterize the land surrounding the Southern Sec- ER WA tion, so it offers better paddling opportunities for lesser-experienced paddlers and families. The Southern Section includes many accesses and passes through Southern the urban areas of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Section Muskellunge Fishing Opportunities The Southern Section abounds with fishing opportunities. Trout are stocked in the water trail’s Northern Section from around Jim Thorpe to Bowmanstown, so the Southern Section’s best trout fishing occurs near and above the Lehigh Gap. The entire Southern Section is stocked with fingerling walleyes and muskies. The best walleye and musky action on the Lehigh encompasses nearly the entire South- ern Section, to Allentown’s Hamilton Street area. Smallmouth bass are also avail- able in the Southern Section, and action for smallmouths is best throughout the entire Southern Section. In spring, American shad are also present, mainly near Easton through Allentown’s Hamilton Street area, but consider the Lehigh River’s special regulations for shad in the Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws. An- glers will also find channel catfish in the Southern Section. Throughout the Southern Section, regulations for Commonwealth inland waters apply. Be sure to check regulations, seasons and consumption advisories in the Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws. www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2005 31 reek Mill C N LEHIGH RIVERCreek WATER TRAIL-SOUTHERN SECTION I Fireline A a Creek STATE GAMELAND Aquashicol T NO. 168 PALMERTON NSTATE GAMELAND U NO. 168 DAM RD Indian Cr ARD O HAZ M eek E U 946 Lehigh Gap RD LSTATE GAMELAND AIN Go interactive and online with NT Wildlife NO. 217 MOU the Lehigh River Water Trail: Big Information Center Walnutport Tr www.wildlandspa.org out Cr 873 WALNUTPORT eek SLATINGTON eek MAIN ST Cr ch Hokendauqua Creek Berts 145 248 Treichlers Bridge Creek Rockdale LAURYS Creek Fells STATION 2ND S Laurys Station LEHIGH RIVER T WATER TRAIL 329 DAM eek N ACCESS POINT Mil A PROJECT OF: Spring Cr Cementon WEA l C NORTHAMPTON reek CEMENTON VERSVI Run eek 873 LLE Dry auqua Cr Catas high County COPLAY Preserve Legend Abutments CATASAUQUA Easton Access Points CO STATE Rapids IGH GAMELANDCanals LEH RACE NO. 205 Stream Appalachian Trail Creek 309 Scenic River Areas Coplay Minor Roads MAUC Urban Areas Major Roads H CHU Catasauqua NK 145 RD Railroads Counties and 229 Open Water Watersheds 22 Obstructions State Park Lands RD KLEY DAM Dams State Game Lands MIC UNI Portage State Forest Lands dan Creek Jor Kimmets Lock WALBERT AVE Allentow LehighCounty DAM Canal P Hasse n Cr eek ST TILGHMAN ALLENTOWN 32 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-JuneEXIT 2005 www.fish.state.pa.us 56 22 HWAY HIG S 2 U.S. OLD 4 Creek ALONG THE WAY–SOUTHERN SECTION-BELOW THE LEHIGH GAP WALKING PURCHASE PARK – Located in Salisbury Township, this 400-acre wilderness park is on river right, adjacent to the Sterners Island group in the Lehigh River. It is located in an area dubbed a “metro-wilderness” because of the wild nature of its surroundings in one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the state – the Lehigh Valley. The name Walking Purchase Park derives from the fact that Solomon Jennings, one of the three participants of the infamous Walking Purchase, stopped his “run” and settled on this site in 1737. BETHLEHEM HISTORIC DISTRICT/SAND ISLAND – The city of Bethlehem is a remarkable city – history, culture, art, recreation (including a world-class trout stream – the Monocacy – cutting through the middle of town), an accessible historic district (featuring Moravian architecture), a charming downtown, and many festival events, including Musikfest and Celtic Fest – all within walking distance of the river. FREEMANSBURG – Freemansburg is an authentic canal town. Lock #44 was located here and a reconstructed mule barn occupies the same site as it did when the Lehigh NavigationCanal was in full operation from 1829 to 1932. HUGH MOORE PARK – One of the city of Easton’s principal river 987 parks, Hugh Moore Park (named for the inventor of the Dixie Cup) straddles the space between the Lehigh Navigation Canal and the river. There is a rich industrial history associated with the area before it was given to the city to be developed into a park by Hugh Moore. Here one finds one of the few remaining locktender houses and the only operating lock (among the 78 locks built) on the entire Lehigh Navigation System. BATH EASTON/TWO RIVERS LANDING – A remarkable success story, Two Rivers Landing contains the National Canal Mu- seum – a day’s visit all by itself – and the popular Crayola Factory 946 D where the manufacture of crayons is explained to over 300,000 E L visitors a year. The presence of these two world-class attractions A has helped to foster the economic resurgence of Easton’s down- W A town. Easton’s history at “the forks of the Delaware” was pivotal in R the development of America’s Industrial Revolution. The E R view of the confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware I HECKTOWN RD V Northampton County rivers helps to explain why Easton was E R nicknamed “Canal Town America.” Easton 512 VILLE RD VER HANO E DAM RD 987 S 2 5TH ST . EASTON O SCH SCHOENERSVILLE WILLIAM PENN HWY VE OEN 191 A ON VE Hugh Moore E ST ERSV EAST GA Park UR EXIT SB 75 ILLE eek N r A EM RD y C E CENT DAM FR 33 PORT RD 5TH AIR ER Route 33 Monocac ST ST Run VD RIVE R BL Nancy H EXIT KO Wilson Avenue IG 71 Bull EH Run AVE BETHLEHEM STEF ON L EAT LVD ION B Freemansburg k Source: Lehigh Earth Observatory wn 0241 Park Sand Island 412 www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2005 33 SEIDERS EXIT67 VILLE RD k Boating ● If you capsize, hold on to Regulations PerfectPerfect your boat, unless it presents a ● One wearable, Coast forfor life-threatening situation. If Guard-approved personal flota- floating in current, position tion device (PFD, or life jacket) PeacefulPeaceful PaddlingPaddling yourself on the upstream side of in serviceable condition and of the capsized boat. ● the appropriate size is required Scout ahead whenever pos- for each person in your boat. If sible. Know the river. Avoid sur- your boat is 16 feet or longer, one prises. ● throwable device (seat cushion or Be prepared for the weather. ring buoy) is required. Canoes Get a forecast before you go. and kayaks, regardless of length, Sudden winds and rain are com- are not required to carry a mon and can turn a pleasant trip throwable device. into a risky, unpleasant venture. ● ● Life jackets must be worn by Wear wading shoes or ten- all children 12 years and younger nis shoes with wool, polypropy- on all boats 20 feet and less in lene, pile or neoprene socks. ● length while underway, and on all canoes and kayaks. Others Never take your boat over a low-head dam. ● are strongly encouraged to wear a PFD at all times on the wa- Portage (carry) your boat around any section of water ter. about which you feel uncertain. ● ● All boats must display an anchor light (a white light vis- Never boat alone. Boating safety increases with num- ible 360 degrees) when at anchor between sunset and sunrise. bers. ● Boats can use a lantern or clip-on battery-powered unit to meet Keep painter lines (ropes tied to the bow) and any other this requirement. ropes coiled and secured. ● ● All powered boats must show running lights between Never tie a rope to yourself or to another paddler, espe- sunset and sunrise. Between sunset and sunrise, unpowered cially a child. ● boats must carry a white light (visible 360 degrees), installed Kneel to increase your stability before entering rougher or portable, ready to be displayed in time to avoid a collision. water, like a rapid. ● ● All motorboats are required to carry a sound-producing If you collide with an obstruction, lean toward it. This device, some mechanical means of making a sound signal au- will usually prevent your capsizing or flooding the boat. ● dible for a half-mile. Athletic whistles meet this requirement. File a float plan with a reliable person, indicating where ● All motorboats must be registered, regardless of where you are going and when you will return. Remember to con- they launch. tact the person when you have returned safely. ● Unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts) using Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission access areas must ei- PA Official ther be registered or display a valid launch permit. Launch permits can be purchased on the web at www.fish.state.pa.us. Water Trails Click on “The Outdoor Shop” icon. The Pennsylvania Fish & ● Operating watercraft, including canoes, kayaks and rafts, Boat Commission is the sole under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal. This law is agency that designates offi- strongly enforced for user safety. cial Pennsylvania water trails. However, individual trails For more information on boating regulations, contact the and trail corridors are created and maintained by a net- Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. work of volunteers, property owners, civic groups and associations.